The Makkah Red Crescent aims to achieve half a million volunteer hours by 2025 | Red Crescent

In a move reflecting growing public awareness of the importance of humanitarian work, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority in the Makkah region announced its annual statistics for 2025, revealing unprecedented figures in the volunteer sector. These figures reflect the significant participation of Saudi men and women in supporting ambulance services, with total volunteer hours exceeding half a million, marking a significant milestone in the region's volunteer work.

Figures reflect the scale of the donation

The authority explained in its report that a total of 10,358 diverse volunteer opportunities were offered and implemented during the year. These opportunities witnessed widespread participation from 57,982 volunteers, divided into 41,837 male and 16,145 female volunteers. The combined efforts of these dedicated individuals resulted in a total of 500,559 volunteer hours, covering various vital sectors that serve the residents and visitors of the region.

Volunteering and the Kingdom's Vision 2030

These figures cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader national context; this achievement aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to reach one million volunteers annually. The non-profit and volunteer sector is a cornerstone of sustainable development, contributing to providing human resources to support government sectors, strengthening social cohesion, and improving quality of life. The Saudi Red Crescent Authority plays a pivotal role in achieving this objective by institutionalizing volunteer work and transforming it from individual initiatives into organized, impactful institutional efforts.

Geographical distribution to meet the need

In terms of the geographical distribution of volunteer opportunities, Jeddah topped the list with 3,557 opportunities, due to its high population density and constant activity. The Holy City of Mecca came in second with 2,713 opportunities, a figure reflecting the paramount importance of serving pilgrims at the Grand Mosque and the holy sites. Taif ranked third with 1,458 volunteer opportunities, while the remaining opportunities were distributed across the various governorates and centers of the region based on operational studies and field humanitarian needs.

The diversity of fields and its impact on the pilgrims

Volunteering was not limited to field emergency services alone, but included multiple avenues to ensure the comprehensiveness of the service, including:

• Emergency medical services: This is the main nerve center of the organization's work, where volunteers support medical teams in responding to emergencies.
• Humanitarian and social field: Providing psychological support and assistance to needy groups.
• The administrative, media, environmental and educational fields: which aim to raise awareness and facilitate operational processes.

Volunteering in the Makkah region holds exceptional importance (regionally and within the Islamic world) due to the unique nature of the area and its role in hosting the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Volunteers contribute directly to facilitating the journey of pilgrims and providing them with essential care, thus enhancing the Kingdom's positive image in serving the guests of God.

Invitation to participate

The organization concluded its statement by affirming its commitment to empowering volunteer work and enhancing the skills of volunteers through ongoing training and development. It reiterated its invitation to all members of the community who wish to have the honor of serving humanity to register through the “Volunteer With Us” platform to learn about available opportunities and contribute to building a vibrant and generous society.