Saudi Arabia Bolsters Yemen Humanitarian Aid with Major Projects During Presidential Visit

Updated 5 min 47 sec ago

October 27, 2026 21:49

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian agency KSrelief has launched a comprehensive package of aid projects during a visit by Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi to its headquarters in Riyadh.

The new initiatives are designed to assist over 3.4 million people across Yemen and include emergency food assistance, shelter provisions, clean water delivery, and healthcare support. Additionally, 100 Saudi volunteer programs have been initiated to benefit approximately 265,000 individuals, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

This announcement coincides with escalating conflict between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Houthi forces, which has displaced more than 276,000 people since June, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The UN agency reported that Taiz has seen the highest influx of displaced persons, followed by Lahj and Aden, exacerbating humanitarian conditions in communities already facing severe shortages of food, water, and basic necessities.

Among the immediate relief efforts launched are the distribution of 250,000 food baskets, 25,000 emergency shelter kits, and 17,500 tents for affected families. The aid package also encompasses the provision of over 16 million liters of clean water in key regions including Lahj, Taiz, and Aden, along with essential medical supplies, equipment, and medicines for Yemen’s healthcare infrastructure.

The volunteer programs will deliver specialized medical services such as open-heart surgeries, cardiac catheterization procedures, cataract treatments, cochlear implants, and hearing rehabilitation programs. Additional initiatives focus on specialized surgical care, educational support, vocational training, and economic empowerment programs.

In Taiz specifically, where ongoing hostilities and road blockades have severely limited access to essential supplies, the center will distribute an additional 5,000 food baskets and nearly 10,000 containers of infant formula, supplemented by critical medical assistance.

A dedicated housing initiative will provide 232 solar-powered homes equipped with public service facilities for displaced families in Hajjah governorate.

During the visit, KSrelief Supervisor-General Abdullah Al-Rabeeah emphasized that Yemen remains the agency’s highest humanitarian priority, with 1,238 projects implemented at a cost exceeding $4.8 billion in collaboration with 362 UN, international, and local organizations.

He noted that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have directed KSrelief to expand humanitarian operations across Yemen, particularly in areas experiencing mass displacement and acute vulnerability, following the launch of Operation Dawn of Yemen—an initiative announced by Al-Alimi on October 4 aimed at reclaiming Houthi-held territories and restoring governmental authority.

According to the World Food Programme, approximately 18.3 million people in Yemen currently face acute food insecurity, while 2.2 million children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition.

Al-Rabeeah highlighted ongoing challenges to humanitarian operations, citing Houthi-imposed restrictions that obstruct aid deliveries, detain humanitarian workers including UN personnel, and target assistance efforts. He called upon the UN and international community to pressure Houthi authorities to establish humanitarian corridors into Taiz, where movement restrictions on food, fuel, and medical supplies have critically impacted essential services.

The UN has separately warned that continued road closures and insecurity in Taiz are preventing vital supplies from reaching residents, while dozens of its personnel remain detained by Houthi authorities.

Al-Rabeeah stated that Saudi Arabia has contributed over $29 billion in various forms of assistance to Yemen over the past decade, reaching communities across multiple governorates without discrimination. He also mentioned that KSrelief has executed 4,525 projects in 113 countries globally, valued at over $8.6 billion, with Yemen remaining its largest recipient.

Al-Alimi expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s sustained humanitarian and development assistance, commending the Kingdom’s pivotal role in supporting Yemeni populations throughout the conflict. He particularly praised KSrelief’s Masam landmine clearance initiative for its efforts in removing explosive devices and contributing to community safety and Reconstruction.

During his visit, Al-Alimi engaged in discussions with Al-Rabeeah regarding enhanced humanitarian cooperation and toured the offices of KSrelief’s international partner organizations at the agency’s headquarters.

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