The Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, held on 24-25 February 2025, brought together global partners to address urgent health and humanitarian issues. The forum marked the 10th anniversary of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and saw the signing of key agreements.
WHO and KSrelief signed agreements for malaria prevention and cholera control in Yemen, including US$ 12 million for malaria control and US$ 2.1 million to expand cholera treatment. Another agreement, worth US$ 3.6 million, will provide dialysis treatment for Sudanese refugees in Egypt.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its US$ 500 million pledge to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), initially made in April 2024. Funding agreements were signed with WHO (US$ 300 million) and UNICEF (US$ 200 million) to support vaccination of 370 million children annually, aiming to eradicate polio globally.
The commitment highlights Saudi Arabia's role in combating polio, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Gaza, where the virus has resurged. The agreements underscore ongoing partnership between WHO and KSrelief to address critical humanitarian health crises.
Source: World Health Organization
