JEDDAH: Faisal bin Hassan Trad, the permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Office in Geneva, said the Kingdom has been the most generous country in the world in the field of development and humanitarian aid over the past four decades.

“Saudi Arabia donated, during this period, more than $115 billion to more than 90 countries all over the world,” said the Saudi ambassador to the UN during a symposium at the Geneva Press Club in the Swiss capital, which was managed by the Swiss Foreign Ministry. The symposium was attended by officials from King Salman Humanitarian and Relief Center (Ksrelief).

The ambassador gave a detailed briefing during the event on the vision, goals and the nature of work of the center, adding that Saudi Arabia has always led other countries in terms of the application of humanitarian values and principles in relief and support.

Ambassador Trad said that Ksrelief was derived from the good and tolerant values of Islam, the religion of peace, grace, humanity and dignity.

The symposium was attended by Maher Hadraoui, CEO of the Ksrelief center, Richard Brennan the director of emergency risk management and humanitarian response at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Rashid Khalikov director of the office for coordination of humanitarian affairs, Alexander Khan assistant general director for UNICEF’s Office of Emergency Programs, and Amin Awad director for Middle East and North Africa operations at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Ambassador Trad said that Saudi Arabia, stemming out of its obligations and commitments toward the brotherly Yemeni people, was the only country that responded to the humanitarian assistance appeal launched by the UN to help Yemen by extending a donation of $274 million.

“The Kingdom also signed a number of agreements to extend food and medicines, in addition to other needs for mother and child affairs, and to rehabilitate health institutions in Yemen,” said the ambassador.

Maher Hadraoui said although the center was founded only four months ago it has become a leading international institution fully dedicated to humanitarian aid and to provide relief to distressed communities.

The Saudi delegation showcased films on the center’s activities in providing humanitarian assistance to Yemen.

Khalikov said of the activities of the center: “We have a copy on the figures of the funds donated by the center and it reveals large monetary aid which is not even possible to collect from a large number of countries.”

Brennan added the center always coordinates with WHO for channeling medicines and medical equipment to Yemen.

“I only can say this is quality assistance that has met the basic needs of distressed people,” he added, praising the noble goals of the center and its achievements in such a short period.