RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is the largest supporter of humanitarian work in Yemen, with aid exceeding $17.3 billion, the head of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) said Thursday.
About $3.5 billion of that aid has been provided through KSrelief, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah told a meeting organized by the National Council on US-Arab Relations (NCUSAR) on the humanitarian challenges in Yemen.
Al-Rabeeah said the Kingdom is also one of the biggest aid donors around the world. The center has implemented 1,556 humanitarian projects in 59 countries with a value exceeding $5 billion, of which 590 projects were done in Yemen.
Aside from the political, economic, and health repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the Yemeni people are also facing a difficult humanitarian situation caused by the Iran-backed Houthi militia.
“It sought to plunder and rob the humanitarian aid it receives from donor countries and divert it for the benefit of its military activities, depriving (Yemenis) of their most basic rights to lead a decent human life,” Al-Rabeeah added.
He outlined the Houthi’s humanitarian violations in Yemen, including using anti-aircraft weapons and planting mines in densely populated areas, forced recruitment of children, seizing aid ships and humanitarian convoys, and intimidating humanitarian workers, as well as bombing hospitals, schools, refugee camps and other civilian facilities resulting in civilian deaths, injuries and heavy losses.
Al-Rabeeah said the Kingdom is working to overcome these challenges and the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (MASAM) has extracted more than 230,000 mines, in addition to the rehabilitation program for children who were recruited by the Houthi militia and forced to fight in the conflict.
Al-Rabeeah called on UN organizations to stand up to these violations, and said the Kingdom is keen to end the crisis and supports all peace initiatives put forward by the UN envoy to Yemen.
Dr. John Anthony, CEO of NCUSAR, said the aid provided by Saudi Arabia to Yemen is the largest compared to the aid of other countries combined, and included roads, hospitals, schools, mosques, and education and training centers.
Houthi militia behind Yemen humanitarian situation, KSrelief chief tells US-Arab meeting
https://arab.news/v394p
Houthi militia behind Yemen humanitarian situation, KSrelief chief tells US-Arab meeting
- KSrelief has implemented 590 projects in Yemen totaling over $3.533 billion
- Houthi militia have committed humanitarian violations and stolen aid, depriving Yemenis of basic needs
Saudi Arabia witnessing comprehensive cultural development, says expert
- Clotilde Entrecanales of Acciona hails pace of change in Kingdom
JEDDAH: Museums, exhibitions and art centers play a crucial role in the development of free and educated societies such as the one now burgeoning in Saudi Arabia, an expert has told Arab News.
Clotilde Entrecanales, the Spanish art historian and cultural executive who heads Acciona Living & Culture, a leading creator of technology-driven interactive museums, exhibits and events, said the Kingdom is making efforts to expand the role of culture development to show the world the greatest possible cultural offer.
She added that the Kingdom has quickly infused new energy into the region, and is rapidly establishing itself as a global cultural hub through massive investment in world-class museums, public art and international events, aligning with its 2030 vision.
She said: “With around 70 percent of the population under 30, cultural consumption looks very different than in Europe or the US. These spaces can’t feel like quiet, isolated institutions … they need to be fast, dynamic, brave and deeply connected to the city, blending into everyday urban life rather than sitting apart from it.”
Asked about the role of these sites in the evolving global cultural landscape, particularly in emerging cultural hubs like Saudi Arabia, Entrecanales said: “Our vision is to be a purpose-led partner for cultural and entertainment institutions, helping them be more relevant, connected, inclusive and sustainable.”
She added: “In emerging cultural hubs like Saudi Arabia, that approach feels especially relevant. The cultural transformation underway is moving fast — with major heritage and cultural destinations being developed and opened to the world.”
Speaking about her impression of the Kingdom’s approach to blending heritage with modernity face, Entrecanales said: “Others who attempt to achieve this balance often end up turning heritage into a theme, a layer of storytelling or a cultural program. What feels different about Saudi’s approach is how much pressure there is to treat heritage as the foundation, not just the surface.
“When you’re building at this speed and scale, there’s always a risk that history becomes a backdrop instead of a backbone. The projects that work best are the ones that slow down just enough to let the past set the rhythm for the present.”
Regarding opportunities and challenges, she said: “The opportunity is nothing less than positioning Saudi Arabia as a global cultural center. The challenge, as always, lies in balancing the speed and scale of that ambition with long-term sustainability and a sense of authenticity that remains credible and rooted.”
She added: “You can really feel this in places like the Islamic Arts Biennale, which shows hundreds of historical artefacts of the Islamic world, while re-framing them through contemporary scenography and designs by some of the best design studios in the world; or in AlUla, a world-class heritage site that hosts a major contemporary platform like Desert X, allowing ancient context and present-day artistic practice to coexist in a way that feels genuine.”
Under her guidance, ACCIONA Cultura aspires to create museums and cultural experiences that function as landmarks while fostering sustainable, inclusive and immersive interactions.
She elaborated on how the company is integrating technology, culture, and sustainability to preserve and promote the region’s cultural heritage: “We always start with human connection and storytelling: what’s the story, what should people leave with? Tech comes later.”
Recently, ACCIONA Cultura has been involved in significant projects in Saudi Arabia and is looking forward for more.
She said: “Right now, for example, we’re designing and curating a museum gallery where the entire space is shaped by the practice of a Saudi artist. Another example is the Net Zero exhibition at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), where we brought together Saudi and international artists to explore sustainability and our relationship with the planet, including voices like Dina Haddadin, Mohammed Al-Faraj, and Zahrah Al-Ghamdi.”
She added: “One of the projects I’m most proud of isn’t a museum, but our NEXT IN Summit, which we’ve hosted in two editions in our ACCIONA Campus in Madrid, highlighting the Kingdom’s unprecedented cultural momentum as it builds future-facing institutions with a startup mindset.”
About further collaboration with Saudi Arabia, she said: “Let’s just say … something’s definitely simmering in the kitchen.”
Commenting on being recognized among the Blooloop 50 Museum Influencers for 2025, she said: “It means a lot. More than anything, it feels like a nod to the years of teamwork and dedication behind Acciona Cultura, rather than to me personally.”
