The Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council launches a package of relief projects from King Salman Center to support Taiz and aid victims across Yemen.

President Alimi Visits King Salman Relief Center

On Tuesday, President Dr. Rashad Mohammed Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, visited the King Salman Relief and Humanitarian Aid Center. He received a warm welcome from Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the Royal Court Advisor and General Supervisor of the Center, along with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Saeed Al-Jaber and several leaders from the Center and its humanitarian partners.

Tour of the Center

During his visit, President Alimi toured various departments within the King Salman Relief and Humanitarian Aid Center. He listened to a presentation detailing the Center’s humanitarian and developmental activities in Yemen and around the world. These efforts encompass sectors such as health, food security, agriculture, shelter, humanitarian operations coordination, water, environmental sanitation, education, early recovery, and logistics. The total cost of these initiatives amounts to approximately 8.638 billion USD, with around 1,238 projects in Yemen alone costing 4.8 billion USD.

Appreciation for Saudi Support

In his meeting with the Center’s leadership, President Alimi expressed the profound gratitude of the Yemeni people for the unwavering support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He acknowledged the Saudi government’s steadfast commitment to alleviating the humanitarian suffering caused by the Houthi militia.

Commendation of Humanitarian Efforts

President Alimi praised the efforts of the Center, under the leadership of Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, and all its staff for their dedication to reaching those in need of humanitarian, relief, and shelter assistance throughout Yemen without exception. He highly valued the various interventions, projects, initiatives, and activities implemented by the King Salman Center to support affected communities across all Yemeni governorates. He also recognized the generous economic and developmental support provided through the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, noting its lasting impact on the Yemeni people.

Focus on Mine Clearance and Rehabilitation

In this context, President Alimi commended the “Masam” project, which aims to clear Yemeni land of mines. He highlighted its crucial role in saving thousands of lives from Houthi-laid mines and facilitating the safe use of land and livelihoods. He expressed hope for the continuation and expansion of this program, viewing it as a long-term investment in the lives of Yemenis.

Additionally, he expressed pride in the prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation program supported by the King Salman Center, which offers specialized free services to individuals with mobility disabilities.

Addressing Humanitarian Suffering

President Alimi addressed the escalating humanitarian crisis resulting from the war ignited by the Houthi militia. He specifically mentioned the severe suffering endured by the residents of Taiz due to the unjust siege imposed by the militia, which deprives millions of access to water, food, and medicine. He also highlighted the additional needs of over a quarter of a million displaced persons forced to leave their homes in areas infiltrated by the militia.

Commitment to Humanitarian Aid

In a welcoming speech, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah reaffirmed that Yemen remains the top priority for the Center in its humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people. He noted that Saudi assistance to Yemen over the past ten years has exceeded 29 billion USD, emphasizing that the Center does not discriminate in providing aid among different regions and populations in Yemen.

Dr. Al-Rabeeah pointed out that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman directed the Center to increase humanitarian support across all regions of Yemen, particularly in areas of displacement and urgent need. He stated that the launch of a new package of projects exemplifies the ongoing support for the Yemeni people.

Challenges in Humanitarian Work

The General Supervisor of the King Salman Center also addressed the significant challenges facing humanitarian work in Yemen due to the Houthi militia’s obstruction of aid delivery, detention of humanitarian workers, including United Nations staff, and targeting of aid and civilians, especially women and children. He urged the United Nations and the international community to put an end to these violations, which have exacerbated the suffering of the Yemeni people and turned Yemen into one of the most aid-dependent countries.

Launch of New Humanitarian Projects

During the visit, President Alimi inaugurated nine humanitarian and relief projects. These included an emergency response project to provide food baskets, the sixth phase of the emergency shelter plan to supply shelter kits and tents, and two emergency response projects in Lahij to secure drinking water for displaced persons and support water and environmental sanitation services. Additional projects aimed to secure drinking water for displaced persons in Taiz and Aden, provide medical supplies and equipment for the Ministry of Health, and deliver urgent relief to the residents of Taiz, including food baskets, infant formula, and essential medical supplies. He also launched a housing complex for displaced persons in Hajjah, consisting of 232 homes with public service facilities and solar energy.

Furthermore, President Alimi inaugurated one hundred Saudi volunteer projects in Yemeni governorates, which include the “Saudi Pulse” program for open-heart surgeries and catheterization, the “Saudi Light” program for combating blindness, and the “Saudi Hearing” program for cochlear implants and auditory rehabilitation, alongside specialized surgeries, training, education, and economic empowerment initiatives.

Accompanying President Alimi during the visit were Dr. Yahya Al-Shaibi, Director of the Presidential Office, Yemen’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Salem Saleh Bin Brek, Minister of State overseeing the issues of displacement and irregular migration Walid Al-Abara, and Deputy Head of the Economic Team Othman Al-Hadi.

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