The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) held a comprehensive strategic discussion session today at its headquarters in Riyadh on the "Humanitarian Response Plan for Yemen 2026," as part of its ongoing partnership and close cooperation with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The session aimed to lay the proactive foundations for future humanitarian work in Yemen, ensuring the sustainability of aid and its efficient delivery to those in need.
The session was attended by a high-level delegation, including Dr. Hanaa Omar, Advisor to the General Supervisor of the Center and Director of the Partnerships and International Relations Department, as well as Julian Harneis, the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen. Also present were a delegation from the United Nations, representatives from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, representatives from UN agencies and donor organizations, and several representatives from foreign embassies in the Kingdom.
Objectives of the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan
The session focused primarily on providing a specialized technical platform to discuss the details of the 2026 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan. Participants sought to build a shared understanding of the key priorities that should be addressed and to identify the most effective operational mechanisms for dealing with field challenges. The importance of facilitating the early adoption of the plan was also emphasized, so that it can serve as the essential framework for meeting the growing humanitarian needs in Yemen during the target year.
The humanitarian context and the pioneering Saudi role
This step comes at a time when Yemen continues to face one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, with millions of Yemenis relying on aid to meet their basic needs for food, medicine, and water. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, plays a pivotal role in mitigating this crisis, having been the top donor to Yemen for many years, providing billions of dollars to support vital sectors.
This meeting reflects a strategic shift in humanitarian management from emergency response to long-term planning, as evidenced by the early discussion of the 2026 plan. This proactive approach aims to address potential funding gaps and improve coordination among various international and regional actors to ensure the continuity of aid supply chains.
Integrating efforts between relief and reconstruction
The presence of representatives from the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen at this session is a clear indication of the Kingdom's integrated vision, which links urgent relief efforts with sustainable development. While the King Salman Center focuses on food, health, and shelter, the Saudi program works to rehabilitate infrastructure and support the Yemeni economy, creating synergy that benefits Yemeni citizens and enhances opportunities for economic and social recovery.
Strengthening international partnerships
This session is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This joint coordination contributes to developing humanitarian and relief mechanisms at the international level and unifying perspectives on how to address protracted crises. The presence of representatives from foreign embassies also underscores the significant international interest in the Yemeni situation and the confidence in the leading role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in coordinating UN and international efforts on this complex issue.
