RIYADH: Forty children from Taiz in Yemen and Amman, Jordan, recruited by Houthi militias to become child soldiers, are undergoing rehabilitation as part of the second stage of the Child Soldiers Rehabilitation Project.
During the first stage of the program, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) also provided rehabilitative services to another 40 children, including those from Marib, Yemen, and Al-Jawf in Libya. “They will receive psychological, social, cultural and sports services and activities for a period of one month,” KSRelief said on its website.
The child soldiers, who were illegally recruited by Houthi militias to fight in the ongoing conflict, are being rehabilitated at the Community Rehabilitation Center in Marib.
The initiative, called Child Soldiers Rehabilitation Project, is described as “a qualitative program and a major achievement in the country’s crisis.”
KSRelief added that the children will also receive educational assistance to help them re-enter school and continue their disrupted studies.
It said relatives will also take part in programs to help children reintegrate into their respective families and communities.
Concerned families expressed their appreciation for KSRelief’s initiatives “to address the overall plight of the children who are used as pawns in armed conflicts.”
KSRelief added that various services had been given to more than 2,000 child soldiers in Yemen so that they could recover from their ordeals. Since 2015, KSRelief has spent more than $262 million on child development programs through 116 projects.
Earlier, Abdullah Al-Rwaily, KSRelief’s director of community support services, told Arab News that the center had organized rehabilitation for about 20,000 child soldiers in Yemen.
He said that there were four training centers where these children were being rehabilitated.
He also called for the participation of non-governmental organizations in the programs, warning that without such aid the situation could become similar to that in Afghanistan.
KSRelief launches 2nd phase of program to rehabilitate Yemen’s child soldiers
KSRelief launches 2nd phase of program to rehabilitate Yemen’s child soldiers
Prince Faisal leads Saudi WEF delegation in Davos, highlights need for global cooperation
- Private sector, govt must work together to ensure long-term prosperity, Kingdom’s FM says
- 56th World Economic Forum annual meeting expected to draw 3,000 participants from almost 130 countries
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s participation at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos next week reflects its commitment to strengthening international cooperation to address global economic challenges, while supporting regional stability and sustainable development, the Kingdom’s foreign minister said on Saturday.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Prince Faisal bin Farhan said Saudi Arabia believes close cooperation between governments and the private sector is essential to achieving sustainable development and long-term prosperity.
He added that the Kingdom will continue expanding cooperation with international partners at WEF and beyond to better confront economic and environmental challenges.
Prince Faisal said the Davos forum provided an important platform to enhance collaboration in areas such as institutional and human capacity-building, innovation, technology and scientific research, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
He highlighted the Kingdom’s focus on developing new business models to boost competitiveness and create investment opportunities.
Led by Prince Faisal, a high-level Saudi delegation will attend the forum, which runs from Jan. 19-23 under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.”
The delegation includes senior ministers responsible for finance, investment, economy and planning, commerce, tourism, industry and mineral resources, and communications and information technology, as well as Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the US, Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud.
Saudi officials will participate in bilateral meetings and public sessions to share the Kingdom’s experience under Vision 2030 and engage with leaders from government, business, and civil society on global stability and prosperity, SPA added.
Saudi House will also return to Davos in 2026 after its debut last year, hosting more than 20 sessions focused on themes including investment, human capability, quality of life, and global collaboration.
The 56th WEF annual meeting is expected to draw around 3,000 participants from nearly 130 countries, including about 60 heads of state and government.
