Saudi Arabia raises $1.1 billion for refugees, displaced persons in Lake Chad, Sahel

A donors' meeting was held in Jeddah by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief). At the summit, pledges totalling more than $1.1 billion were made to aid refugees and displaced people in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions. 

Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and Mali are among the nations that will get assistance from the fund. 

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) collaborated to plan the event.

In a statement, Abdullah Al Rabeeah, advisor at the Royal Court and supervisor general of KSrelief, expressed gratitude to the donor community, noting that “the funds demonstrate solidarity and enable humanitarian agencies to deliver life-saving support, strengthening security and resilience for affected populations”.

Al Rabeeah emphasised Saudi Arabia’s commitment to extending humanitarian efforts through collaborations with international stakeholders. 

Hissein Brahim Taha, OIC secretary-general, praised the conference’s role in developing international cooperation.

“The presence of so many committed nations and organisations here today demonstrates a shared commitment to the values of solidarity and cooperation,” he said.

The OIC and Saudi Arabia were also praised by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for spearheading the effort. He recognised the region's promise as well as the major obstacles presented by the effects of climate change, continuous wars, and economic constraints. 

In addition to calling for a halt to hostilities, access for relief workers, and the safety of civilians, Guterres urged for ongoing humanitarian engagement. 

Saudi Arabia furthered its commitment with a $30 million pledge, increasing its total contributions for 2024 to $51 million, the statement noted.

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