Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan: Efforts of the King Salman Center and the United Nations
International coordination to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, in cooperation with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), organized an extensive discussion session at its headquarters in Riyadh on the 2026 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan. The session aimed to provide a technical platform to discuss the plan's key priorities and operational mechanisms, with the goal of building a shared understanding and facilitating its early adoption to address urgent humanitarian needs in Yemen.
The meeting was attended by high-level figures, including the advisor to the General Supervisor of the Center and Director of the Partnerships and International Relations Department, Hanaa Omar, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Julian Harneis, along with a delegation from the United Nations, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, UN organizations, donors, and embassies of foreign countries accredited to the Kingdom.
Background of the crisis and the importance of humanitarian intervention
These efforts come in the context of the complex humanitarian crisis that Yemen has been experiencing for years, which the United Nations has described as one of the worst in the world. The ongoing conflict has led to the collapse of the economy and infrastructure, pushing millions of people to the brink of famine, with widespread disease and severe shortages of basic services such as healthcare and clean water. According to UN reports, more than two-thirds of the population depend on humanitarian aid to survive, making advance planning and coordination of aid vital to saving lives.
Pivotal role of the King Salman Relief Center
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, established in 2015, is the humanitarian arm of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and one of the largest donors to Yemen. Since its inception, the Centre has implemented hundreds of projects across vital sectors such as food security, health, shelter, education, and water and sanitation, targeting millions of people affected throughout Yemen without discrimination. This meeting reflects the pivotal role the Centre plays in mobilizing international support and coordinating humanitarian interventions to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most effectively and efficiently.
The expected impact of the plan on all levels
The 2026 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan is of paramount importance, serving as a roadmap for collaborative humanitarian action. Early discussion of its priorities ensures a shared understanding among all stakeholders, including UN agencies, NGOs, and donors. Locally, the plan is expected to alleviate suffering by providing life-saving assistance. Regionally and internationally, its success will bolster stability in the region, reaffirm the international community’s commitment to humanitarian principles, and potentially pave the way for future support of sustainable peace efforts. This close collaboration between the Center and OCHA underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in addressing major humanitarian challenges.
