Strengthening nutrition services in Gaza: A partnership between the King Salman Center and the World Health Organization
In a significant humanitarian step to address the escalating crisis in the Gaza Strip, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, in cooperation with the World Health Organization, signed a joint executive program aimed at strengthening nutrition services in Gaza. The agreement was signed virtually between His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the Center, and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, within the framework of the Saudi popular campaign to aid the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
Facing an unprecedented humanitarian and health crisis
This program comes at a critical time, as the Gaza Strip suffers a catastrophic deterioration in all vital sectors, most notably the health sector. The current situation has led to a near-total collapse of the health system, with most hospitals and health centers out of service, exacerbating the suffering of the population, especially the most vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly. International reports indicate alarming levels of food insecurity and widespread acute malnutrition, threatening the lives of thousands. This makes urgent intervention to provide food and medical support an absolute necessity to save lives and prevent a wider humanitarian disaster.
Program details: Direct support to save lives
The program primarily aims to improve the health and nutritional status of the population by providing and facilitating nutritional treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM), particularly cases with medical complications. Under the agreement, a comprehensive medical kit specifically designed for treating this type of malnutrition (SAM/PED Kits) will be purchased and distributed. In addition, the program includes the provision of essential medical supplies, vitamin and mineral supplements, specialized nutritional formulations, and intravenous feeding solutions, which will be distributed to various health facilities operating in the sector. This vital project is expected to directly benefit 258,223 individuals and indirectly benefit over 1,172,467, reflecting the scale and importance of this humanitarian intervention.
Saudi Arabia plays a leading role in supporting Palestine andenhancing food services in Gaza.
This collaboration reflects the pivotal and ongoing role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, in supporting the Palestinian people. The Kingdom has a long history of providing humanitarian and development assistance to Palestine, and this program is the latest in a series of relief projects aimed at alleviating the suffering of our Palestinian brothers and sisters. Partnering with a prestigious international organization like the World Health Organization ensures that aid reaches those who need it most effectively and efficiently, contributes to the recovery of the strained health sector, and underscores the Kingdom's commitment to its humanitarian responsibilities on the international stage.
