Britain and Saudi Arabia are teaming up to provide $5 million to combat increasing malnutrition in Somalia. This generous donation, facilitated by Unicef, will focus on delivering clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services to 50,000 vulnerable women and children in the conflict-torn and drought-stricken nation.
This financial support is part of an established collaboration that has already seen both countries commit a total of $22 million to assist individuals affected by conflict in Somalia and Sudan. The partnership has made contributions to initiatives aimed at alleviating famine and offering humanitarian aid in these regions.
The alliance between Britain and Saudi Arabia is poised to expand, with plans for additional collaborative efforts on humanitarian aid and development projects in Sudan, Yemen, Bangladesh, and Ukraine in the pipeline. The recent funding announcement was made during the second UK-Saudi Strategic Dialogue on Humanitarian Aid and International Development in Riyadh, where discussions centered on increasing aid to Gaza and promoting peace in Sudan.
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These crucial programs will be implemented through KSrelief and the Saudi Fund for Development, the Kingdom’s primary agencies for aid and development. Deputy Foreign Secretary and Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, expressed his enthusiasm for scaling up joint funding to support those most in need, emphasizing the importance of addressing ongoing conflicts like the one in Gaza.
In addition, Mitchell will finalize a Joint Co-operation Agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development to bolster efforts towards achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals. Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor general of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, highlighted the potential for strengthening technical expertise and capacity-building through collaborative projects, aiming to further solidify the partnership between the two countries.
Both sides are actively exploring opportunities for future collaboration, with a focus on leveraging their strengths in health interventions, education infrastructure development, and livelihood programs. Mitchell is set to meet with key Saudi officials to discuss ongoing efforts and potential areas for increased cooperation, underscoring the commitment to making a meaningful impact in humanitarian and development initiatives.