Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has lauded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's great humanitarian and relief efforts represented by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief). In a statement, the UN Secretary-General said: "the KSRelief is one of the most important factors in dozens of the countries. It has been developed and worked very professionally. The center today gives hope to so many people who are suffering of disasters, conflicts and events around the world. The KSRelief has established partnerships with the United Nations organizations and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs). I am happy with this fact." Following his meeting with Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, Advisor-Royal Court and General Supervisor of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), Antonio Guterres stressed that the KSRelief is one of the most important pillar in the field of humanitarian aid around the world. "The KSRelief has hosted the drafted Yemeni underage fighters. This is a noble act and the UN may benefit from following that experience," the UN Secretary-General said, affirming that the center is one of the strongest institutions collaborating with the UN humanitarian organizations. He pointed out that this is the third visit he paid to the center. "We are very grateful for the Kingdom's generous support and historical partnership. We appreciate the initiative announced by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to provide $50 million to UNRWA in order to support the Palestinian people. This is an example to be followed by other donors," he concluded. For his part, Dr. Al Rabeeah welcomed the UN Secretary-General, stressing the importance of joint cooperation among the KSRelief and the UN organizations. "During 20 years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides $65,9 billion to the affected in the world," Al Rabeeah said. The KSRelief General Supervisor confirmed that the center abides by principles of the international humanitarian law, pointing out that the center has implemented 367 humanitarian projects in 40 countries in four continents around the world, particularly 217 projects in all Yemeni governorates without exception. He also highlighted the efforts exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Coalition countries in supporting the humanitarian action and launching the Comprehensive Humanitarian Operations Plan in Yemen and the great efforts to open 21 land, sea and air ports. "Based on its keenness to support the Yemeni people and economy, the Kingdom supported the Yemeni Central Bank in order to ensure the stability of the economy and enable the Yemeni government to pay salaries," he confirmed. Dr. Al Rabeeah reviewed the human rights situation in Yemen, in particular the grave violations and war crimes committed by the Houthi militias against the civilians, including preventing the innocent people from obtaining water and food, bombing wells and water stations and shelling the residential areas which resulted in the killing and injuring of hundreds of women and children. He affirmed that the militias violated the human rights conventions, particularly with regard to the recruitment and use of children as human shields in the armed conflict. Dr. Al Rabeeah highlighted the rehabilitation programs provided by the Center. The KSRelief General Supervisor condemned the Houthi attacks on the UN aid agencies and their workers since 2015 in addition to confiscation of aid vessels and trucks carrying aid. He also denounced their attempts to planting mines in addition to the Houthi ballistic missile and projectile attacks on the Saudi cities. The meeting was attended by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Abdullah bin Yahiya Al Mouallimi and a number of officials of the United Nations and international organizations' offices.
