Saudi Arabia raises $1.1bn for displaced persons in Sahel, Lake Chad

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), hosted a donors’ conference in Jeddah.

Over $1.1 billion in pledges was raised at the conference to support displaced persons and refugees across the Sahel and Lake Chad regions. 

Among the countries to benefit from the fund are Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and Mali.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In a statement, Abdullah Al Rabeeah, advisor at the Royal Court and supervisor general of KSrelief, expressed gratitude to the donor community, noting that “the funds demonstrate solidarity and enable humanitarian agencies to deliver life-saving support, strengthening security and resilience for affected populations”.

Al Rabeeah reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to expanding aid efforts through partnerships with international stakeholders.

Hissein Brahim Taha, OIC secretary-general, noted the conference’s role in fostering international cooperation.

“The presence of so many committed nations and organisations here today demonstrates a shared commitment to the values of solidarity and cooperation,” he said.

António Guterres, United Nations secretary-general, also commended Saudi Arabia and the OIC for leading the initiative.

He acknowledged the region’s potential and the significant challenges posed by ongoing conflicts, climate change impact, and economic pressures.

Guterres called for sustained humanitarian engagement, advocating for the protection of civilians, a halt to hostilities, and access for aid workers.

The statement added that Saudi Arabia furthered its commitment with an additional $30 million pledge, bringing its total contributions for 2024 to $51 million.