UNHCR-KSrelief sign agreement to support vulnerable people in Ukraine

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) signed an agreement worth USD 5 million to support UNHCR’s humanitarian response to the urgent needs of the internally displaced and crisis-affected people in Ukraine.

The agreement was signed by KSrelief’s Supervisor General, Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, on the margins of the High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This contribution – which complements an earlier funding of USD 10 million from KSrelief for Ukraine in 2024 – aims at boosting ongoing efforts to deliver emergency shelter solutions to vulnerable families, ensuring that they are protected against harsh winter weather conditions.

Expressing appreciation for the partnership, UN High Commissioner Grandi highlighted that ‘’this renewed support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, comes at a crucial time. With winter approaching and needs remaining alarmingly high, it will help us protect the most vulnerable – particularly women, children, and older people – from the hardships of cold and ensure they receive the support they urgently require’’.

On his part, Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah commented: “Our longstanding and valued partnership with UNHCR continues with our joint efforts in Ukraine to provide urgent protection for affected communities during the harsh winter months. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, is dedicated to alleviating suffering around the world, particularly that of children, women, and others in crisis.”

This contribution from KSrelief is essential for UNHCR to continue supporting people in Ukraine, as humanitarian needs remain critically high during the approaching winter months. With this generous support from KSrelief, UNHCR will provide building materials to help families insulate their homes and endure the harsh winter months, while also delivering other essential assistance that enables them to remain in their communities, strengthen their resilience, and rebuild their lives.

UNHCR has a long-standing partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as evidenced by its support for UNHCR’s programmes across several sectors, including healthcare, education, shelter, and infrastructure in a number of countries like Yemen, Afghanistan, Sudan, South Sudan, Chad, Jordan, Bangladesh, Iraq and Ukraine.

For more information, please contact:

• In Riyadh: Amina Zoubairi, External Relations Officer, [email protected]
• In GCC: Khaled Kabbara, Communications Officer, [email protected]
• In Ukraine: Elisabeth Arnsdorf Haslund, Senior Communications Officer, [email protected]