By Abdullahi Lukman
Saudi Arabia has contributed more than $3.4 billion to 1,289 projects in 88 countries to address food insecurity and strengthen long-term food security, according to Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, Advisor to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief).
Al-Rabeeah said the Kingdom’s efforts combine emergency humanitarian assistance with longer-term programmes aimed at increasing local food production, strengthening community capacity and improving food supply chains.
He made the remarks during a high-level panel, “United to End Hunger: Reorienting Global Action to Address Food Crises in Times of Turmoil,” held in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The event was jointly organised by Germany, the World Food Programme and the Global Network Against Food Crises.
Al-Rabeeah said Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, was working with affected countries to respond to immediate food shortages while supporting measures designed to improve their ability to achieve sustainable food security.
He identified conflict as the leading driver of acute food insecurity in many countries, stressing that global efforts should focus more on preventing food crises and building long-term resilience.
He said addressing hunger requires sustained international action rather than relying primarily on short-term responses after crises have already emerged.
