GLOBAL EXPERTS TO ATTEND FIRST INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN FORUM IN SAUDI ARABIA 26-27 February 2018

GLOBAL EXPERTS TO ATTEND FIRST  INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN FORUM  IN SAUDI ARABIA   26-27 February 2018

Image-1-3.jpg The 1st Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the 26 – 27 of February 2018 under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Organized by the King Salman Humanitarian and Relief Centre (KSrelief), the forum is the first of its kind to take place in the Kingdom, building on previous global humanitarian events to address changes to the humanitarian landscape and to formulate new practical and efficient responses which reflect the changing needs on the ground.

Bringing together professionals and key decision-makers from across the international humanitarian community, the two-day forum will be attended by high level global representatives from the United Nations, international and national NGOs.

H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Advisor – Royal Court and Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, said: “Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken on a pioneering humanitarian role in serving the international community around the world.  The Kingdom realizes the significance of its role in alleviating human suffering and ensuring that all people are given the opportunity to live healthy, dignified lives.  To further emphasize their dedication to the service of all in need, the leadership of Saudi Arabia established King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre; its purpose is to provide and monitor the delivery of humanitarian aid and relief to those in need outside of the Kingdom’s borders.

Image-2-3.jpg The center was inaugurated on 13 May 2015 under the high patronage and guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, may God bless him. The center’s activities are founded upon noble fundamental humanitarian goals and principles.”

“To date, KSrelief has implemented 328 projects in 38 countries; the majority of our programs have focused on Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Somalia.  KSrelief’s 119 humanitarian partners include UN member agencies as well as many other international and national NGOs.  The main project sectors served by the center are: Food Security, Health, (with special focus on Women and Children), Nutrition, Water and Sanitation and Education, along with some special projects – one of which provides rehabilitation services for former child soldiers in Yemen.”

“KSrelief is also very active in refugee programs; among these is a project, near completion, of a 300-unit residential village in Djibouti to house Yemeni refugees and provide them with school and health care facilities. The Kingdom has also received 561,000 Yemenis, 262,000 Syrians and 249,000 Rohingya from Burma. These visitors are welcomed into Saudi society and have access to public health care, education and employment opportunities.”

“Based upon KSrelief’s mandate and the world’s growing need for increasing amounts of humanitarian aid and relief, the center determined this an opportune moment in time in which to host the 1st Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum. The forum will take place on 26 – 27 February 2018, at the InterContinental Hotel in Riyadh under the high patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.”

“The Forum is an unprecedented opportunity to drive meaningful, relevant and practical change in humanitarian work to reflect what is most needed in this area.  Speakers and sessions will address key issues in humanitarian planning and delivery, and will encourage participants to develop new strategies for reaching the greatest possible number of people in need.”

“The forum’s main themes include: Humanitarian Aid, Capacity of Humanitarian Funding, Innovations and Reform and Localizing of Aid. The forum has attracted many attendees from 45 international and regional organizations.”

 The Forum program will cover the following subjects:

 
  • Humanitarian Assistance

       Side Events

  • Bridging the Humanitarian Assistance & Development Nexus
  • Policy Development in an ever-changing operational context of Global displacement
  • Improving Humanitarian Response through Academic Research
 
  • Humanitarian Financing and capacities

        Side Events

  • Humanitarian Funding, gaps, challenges, responsibilities and opportunities
  • Role of non-traditional donors and regional organizations
  • Improving Humanitarian response through Academic Research
 
  • Innovation and Reform in the Humanitarian Sector
  • Reform of the humanitarian system, World Humanitarian Summit outcomes, and taking stock
  • Innovation and Technology in the Humanitarian sphere
  • Improving Humanitarian response through Academic Research
 
  • Localizing of Aid

        Side Events

  • Local organizations, capacity building and empowerment
  • Capacity of host countries and communities
  • Building local community disaster and fragility resilience

  For further information on the 1st Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum and King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre visit: rihf.ksrelief.org