Saudi Arabia Launches Humanitarian Program to Aid Earthquake Victims in Syria and Turkey
In a bold move to support earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey, Saudi Arabia has rolled out a comprehensive humanitarian program led by the Saudi aid agency KSrelief.
Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, adviser at the Royal Court and supervisor-general of KSrelief, kicked off the initiatives in Gaziantep, Turkey on Tuesday with a grand inauguration ceremony.
At the event attended by Gaziantep Governor Kemal Ceber, Al-Rabeeah emphasized that the programs are in line with the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed to assist those affected by the catastrophic earthquake.
The humanitarian programs will cover a range of needs such as prosthetics and physical therapy, psychological support, economic empowerment, and the distribution of food baskets and health kits, benefiting over 5,000 individuals in both nations.
Additionally, the initiative includes the construction of 1,000 temporary housing units in three areas in Hatay Province, expected to benefit 5,000 people. This is in addition to the 3,000 units already built for earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey, providing aid to 12,000 individuals.
The initial phases of the program involve 120 cochlear implant surgeries and the distribution of 375 hearing aids to Syrian and Turkish children affected by the earthquake, benefiting a total of 495 individuals.
The overall program aims to conduct 24 volunteer cochlear implant programs benefiting 940 individuals, along with intensive rehabilitation programs for those with hearing impairments post-surgery.
Furthermore, the medical program for prosthetics and physical therapy will offer essential health services, including prosthetic and cosmetic limb fittings, directly benefiting 169 individuals and indirectly benefiting 69 others.
Other components of the program include a psychological support volunteer program offering specialized courses for 50 low-income individuals and an economic empowerment training volunteer program in Reyhanli, Hatay.
Al-Rabeeah reiterated Saudi Arabia’s steadfast commitment to its noble humanitarian mission, standing in solidarity with its brothers, friends, and needy communities across the globe.