Al-Rabeeah stresses vital role of humanitarian diplomacy in relief efforts

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and Advisor at the Royal Court, participated yesterday in a high-level session titled "Humanitarian Diplomacy and Its Practical Application: Diplomacy as an Enabler of Humanitarian Action." The event was organized by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in cooperation with the European Union and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

In his address, Al-Rabeeah noted that humanitarian work faces unprecedented challenges, including political obstacles, natural disasters, violations of international humanitarian law, funding shortages, and disregard for humanitarian principles. He emphasized that political barriers have become the most significant hindrance to global relief efforts.

Al-Rabeeah highlighted the suffering of civilians, pointing to the targeting of humanitarian workers, attacks on relief convoys, drone strikes, the killing of children, sexual violence against women, and bureaucratic hurdles impeding aid delivery. He also noted that there are around 120 million forcibly displaced people worldwide.

Humanitarian diplomacy an urgent necessity

Al-Rabeeah stressed the need to connect diplomacy with humanitarian work to achieve effective results, calling for urgent action to secure ceasefires, ensure unimpeded aid access, and uphold international humanitarian law. He stated that diplomatic efforts must translate into practical, tangible measures to support stability, foster dialogue, and provide comprehensive responses to challenges.

He called for enhanced coordination and the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, underscoring the importance of integrating humanitarian diplomacy into relief efforts and working collectively to save and protect lives.

Concluding his remarks, Al-Rabeeah affirmed that the international community's responsibility goes beyond discussing the importance of humanitarian diplomacy, requiring concrete action to establish it as a practical tool for achieving results. He stressed the significance of partnerships and collective efforts to respect international humanitarian law and facilitate relief operations.