Saudi Charitable Work: Global Culture of Humanitarian Values, Heritage

Charitable work embodies a deep-rooted culture and high humanitarian values in Saudi Arabia, drawing from Islamic principles, cultural heritage, and Arab traditions of aiding those in need. It also reflects the Kingdom’s efforts to promote social stability and development for countries and people worldwide.

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Saudi Humanitarian, Developmental Aid

Since the Kingdom’s unification under King Abdulaziz Al Saud, through the reigns of his sons, and continuing into the current era of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been a generous donor of humanitarian, developmental, and charitable assistance worldwide. This aid includes donations, grants, and concessional loans to support development in developing countries. The total aid has exceeded 132 billion US dollars, reaching 171 countries and supporting 7,131 projects.

In this regard, on May 13, 2015, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah protect him, directed the establishment of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center to serve as a framework for the Kingdom’s humanitarian, relief, and charitable efforts abroad. Since its inception, the Center has implemented 3,053 projects across various vital sectors in 102 countries worldwide, with a value exceeding 7 billion and 37 million US dollars. Millions of the most vulnerable and needy people in the targeted countries have benefited from these projects without discrimination.

Saudi Portal for External Volunteering

Volunteering is a crucial pillar of the center’s humanitarian and relief work. The center has launched the “Saudi Portal for External Volunteering,” which aims to welcome individuals interested in volunteering to participate in the center’s activities abroad after being trained and empowered for charitable work. This initiative supports community development in line with Saudi Vision 2030. To date, over 63,000 volunteers have registered on the portal and participated in 724 different volunteer programs across 47 countries, benefiting more than 1,831,000 individuals.

The Kingdom is one of the countries that receives refugees (visitors) the most, as it provides them with the opportunity for free treatment and education, and is keen on their integration into society through their presence in all regions of the Kingdom, and by providing job and education opportunities in public schools.

KS Relief Center

To show solidarity with the severe humanitarian crisis experienced by the residents of the Gaza Strip, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has organized an air bridge, through which 54 planes have arrived so far, and another maritime bridge, through which 8 large ships carrying food, shelter, and medical supplies weighing 6,600 tons have arrived. Additionally, the center is cooperating with Jordan to conduct an air drop operation to deliver high-quality food aid to those affected in the region. It also aims of breaking the blockade imposed by Israeli occupation forces on the border crossings.

“Saudi Hearing” program

The center has launched the “Saudi Hearing” program in Turkey to provide auditory rehabilitation and cochlear implants for those affected by the Syria-Turkey earthquake. It is the world’s largest charitable event for cochlear implants, with 24 programs benefiting 940 Syrians and Turks. Another major initiative is the Saudi program for conjoined twins, which fully covers surgeries, treatments, and rehabilitation. So far, it has evaluated 141 cases from 26 countries across 3 continents and performed 61 successful separation surgeries.

In conclusion, on World Philanthropy Day, celebrated annually on September 5th, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center joins the global community in honoring those in the charitable field who dedicate their lives to serving humanity and helping those in need and refugees worldwide.