PICTORIAL: Saudi Arabia Hosts Conference To Raise $1.1bn Support For Displaced Persons In Sahel, Lake Chad

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), has secured over $1.1 billion in pledges to support displaced persons and refugees across the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.

The announcement was made in a statement released by Saudi Arabia’s Mission in Nigeria.

The substantial funding, made possible by contributions from over 10 donor countries, agencies, and organisations, aimed to address escalating humanitarian needs in crisis-hit areas.

The donor conference, organised in partnership with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), emphasised collective efforts to tackle the severe displacement and crises in the regions.

The conference also had the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which will assist in delivering urgent humanitarian aid to those affected in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and Mali—nations grappling with ongoing conflicts and disasters.

In his address at the conference, Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSRelief, expressed gratitude for the generosity shown by the global donor community. He highlighted the significance of the contributions, stating, “These contributions not only demonstrate solidarity but also empower humanitarian organizations to deliver life-saving support.”

Al Rabeeah also emphasized that the pledges would play a crucial role in strengthening security and resilience for the affected populations, ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the assistance they desperately need.