Saudi Arabia has launched new Yemen aid projects expected to benefit more than 3.4 million people. The Saudi aid agency KSrelief announced the package on Tuesday during a visit to Riyadh. Rashad Al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, visited the agency’s headquarters for the announcement.
The Yemen aid package covers emergency food, shelter, clean water and healthcare. Additionally, KSrelief introduced 100 volunteer programmes expected to benefit another 265,000 people. These initiatives will provide specialized medical services and support communities facing urgent needs.
The announcement follows renewed fighting between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Houthi forces. Since June, more than 276,000 people have fled their homes. The International Organization for Migration reported these figures as displacement continues to strain local communities. Taiz received the largest number of displaced people, followed by Lahj and Aden.
To address urgent needs, KSrelief plans to distribute 250,000 food baskets. It will also provide 25,000 emergency shelter kits and 17,500 tents. Meanwhile, projects in Lahj, Taiz and Aden will deliver more than 16 million litres of water.
Healthcare support also features prominently in the package. KSrelief will supply medical equipment, medicines and other essential resources. Its volunteer programmes will offer open-heart surgery, cardiac catheterization and cataract treatment. They will also provide cochlear implants and hearing rehabilitation services.
Other initiatives will support specialized surgery, education and vocational training. The programme will also promote economic empowerment for vulnerable communities. In Taiz, fighting and road closures have restricted access to essential supplies. Therefore, KSrelief will distribute another 5,000 food baskets there. Families will also receive nearly 10,000 containers of infant formula and essential medical assistance.
Meanwhile, a separate housing project will provide 232 solar-powered homes in Hajjah governorate. Each home will include access to public service facilities. The initiative aims to help displaced families regain stability and meet basic needs.
During the visit, KSrelief Supervisor-General Abdullah Al-Rabeeah reaffirmed Yemen’s status as the agency’s main humanitarian priority. He said KSrelief had completed 1,238 projects across Yemen. These projects cost more than $4.8 billion and involved 362 international, local and United Nations partners.
Al-Rabeeah said King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had directed the agency to expand assistance. This followed the launch of Operation Dawn of Yemen. Al-Alimi announced the military operation on October 4. It aims to regain Houthi-controlled territory and restore government authority.
Nevertheless, Yemen continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis. The World Food Programme estimates that 18.3 million people face acute food insecurity. In addition, around 2.2 million children under five suffer from acute malnutrition.
Al-Rabeeah also accused Houthi authorities of obstructing humanitarian operations. He cited restrictions on aid deliveries, detentions of humanitarian workers and attacks targeting assistance. Consequently, he urged the United Nations and international community to press for humanitarian corridors into Taiz. Restrictions on food, fuel and medical supplies threaten essential services there.
He added that Saudi Arabia had provided more than $29 billion in assistance to Yemen over the past decade. According to Al-Rabeeah, the Kingdom has supported communities across the country without discrimination. Globally, KSrelief has implemented 4,525 projects across 113 countries, worth more than $8.6 billion.
Finally, Al-Alimi thanked Saudi Arabia for its continued humanitarian and development support. He also praised KSrelief’s Masam project, which clears landmines and other explosive devices. The initiative helps protect civilians and supports recovery in affected communities. Before concluding the visit, Al-Alimi and Al-Rabeeah discussed stronger humanitarian cooperation. They also toured the offices of KSrelief’s international partner organizations in Riyadh.
