UNHCR and KSrelief sign USD 6.13 million agreements to support vulnerable people affected by displacement in Syria and Ukraine
UNHCR and KSrelief sign USD 6.13 million agreements to support vulnerable people affected by displacement in Syria and Ukraine
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) have signed two agreements providing a combined USD 6.13 million to strengthen humanitarian support for vulnerable people affected by displacement in Syria and Ukraine.
The agreements were signed by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief, and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The new funding will support UNHCR’s efforts to help vulnerable families address urgent shelter and winter-related needs, while also contributing to longer-term recovery, resilience and solutions for people affected by displacement.
In Syria, the USD 4.03 million contribution from KSrelief will support vulnerable returnees, internally displaced people, refugees and host communities through a combination of shelter rehabilitation and winterization assistance.
The project will rehabilitate more than 980 damaged homes in Aleppo, Rural Damascus and Deir-ez-Zor, benefiting over 4,900 people. By restoring safe and adequate housing, the intervention will help address protection needs, improve living conditions, towards an enabling environment for safe, dignified and sustainable return and reintegration.
The funding will also provide winterization assistance to over 53,800 people across Aleppo, Idlib, Rural Damascus, Homs and Deir-ez-Zor, helping vulnerable families withstand harsh winter conditions and strengthen their resilience.
Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of KSrelief said, “We are pleased to work with our valued partner UNHCR to provide vital assistance to crisis-affected families in Ukraine and Syria. Millions of people need our support during this challenging time, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains dedicated to helping all in need.”
In Ukraine, the USD 2.1 million contribution from KSrelief will provide vital support to vulnerable displaced and crisis-affected families in some of the country’s most impacted regions. It will support UNHCR’s delivery of emergency shelter assistance, rapid thermal kits, and insulation materials across 10 regions, benefiting over 14,100 internally displaced people and others affected by the crisis. The assistance will help families repair damaged homes and improve thermal insulation, reducing exposure to freezing temperature and associated health risk, enabling families to better protect themselves against harsh winter conditions.
An estimated 10.8 million people in Ukraine require humanitarian assistance in 2026, while 3.9 million people remain internally displaced. Many have fled heavily affected areas with few belongings and continue to face difficult living conditions, particularly as winter approaches.
“Across Syria and Ukraine, millions of displaced people continue to face profound challenges as they seek safety, stability and a chance to rebuild their lives. The support provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, will help UNHCR deliver life-saving assistance to families in need while also supporting their efforts to rebuild and recover,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih. “UNHCR deeply values our strong partnership with KSrelief, which has helped protect and assist displaced families around the world. This latest contribution comes at a critical time and will help us deliver vital support to people whose lives have been uprooted”.
Together, these interventions will address immediate humanitarian needs while contributing to early recovery, community resilience and the longer-term reintegration of displaced populations. They reflect the shared commitment of KSrelief and UNHCR to supporting vulnerable communities and helping displaced people return and rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.
About UNHCR
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
About KSrelief
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) was established under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Inaugurated in May 2015, KSrelief has provided impartial humanitarian aid and relief to over 100 countries in cooperation with local, regional and international organizations.
For more information, please contact:
In Riyadh: Amina Zoubairi, External Relations Officer, [email protected];
In GCC: Khaled Kabbara, Communications Officer, [email protected];
In Syria: Annalaura Maria Sacco, Strategic Partnership Adviser, [email protected];
In Ukraine: Iryna Tymchyshyn, Associate Communications Officer, [email protected]
