WHO and KSrelief Sign Major Health Agreements at Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum 2025

The Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum on February 24-25, 2025, brought together global partners from the humanitarian sector to address pressing health crises, yielding vital funding agreements for disease prevention and displaced populations across the Middle East and beyond, according to World Health Organization (WHO) announcements. The gathering marked the tenth anniversary of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), focusing heavily on health diplomacy, the security of aid workers, and the dignity of populations impacted by crises.

Among the core developments finalized during the Riyadh forum were targeted interventions for malaria and cholera in Yemen, alongside critical medical support for Sudanese refugees. According to WHO reports, the agreements include a US$ 12 million allocation for malaria control and US$ 2.1 million dedicated to expanding cholera treatment options within Yemen. Additionally, KSRelief and the WHO Egypt Country Office sealed a US$ 3.6 million agreement to deliver dialysis treatment for Sudanese refugees in Egypt due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

^{KSRelief Supervisor-General Abdullah Al Rabeeah and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus finalizing humanitarian crisis funding accords. Photo by: WHO/Karim Yassmineh}

Expanding Global Polio Eradication Efforts

Beyond regional medical responses, the forum served as the backdrop for reaffirming an international commitment to eradicate polio globally. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia formally reaffirmed its US$ 500 million pledge to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a commitment initially made in April 2024, according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

To operationalize this pledge, two distinct funding agreements were established during the Riyadh meetings: US$ 300 million allocated to the WHO and US$ 200 million directed to UNICEF. This financial injection will support efforts to vaccinate 370 million children annually. The funding targets conflict-affected regions, particularly in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Gaza, where the virus has made a resurgence.

^{The US$ 500 million Global Polio Eradication Initiative funding accord being signed by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russel, KSRelief Supervisor-General Abdullah Al Rabeeah, and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Photo by: WHO/Karim Yassmineh}

Strengthening Strategic Health Partnerships

The agreements signed in Riyadh underscore a continued partnership between international organizations and Saudi humanitarian agencies. By synchronizing financial resources with the technical expertise of the WHO and UNICEF, the collaborative framework aims to address critical humanitarian health crises.

Tackling polio, cholera, and malaria alongside safeguarding healthcare access for displaced groups relies heavily on the accords reached during this event. With targeted support for specific interventions—such as dialysis for refugees and localized cholera management—the forum highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to global humanitarian efforts and its leadership role in tackling some of the world’s pressing health crises.