Bahrain is at the forefront of delivering humanitarian aid to countries affected by conflicts and natural disasters.
Ministers and top officials yesterday praised the vision of His Majesty King Hamad and the guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which have resulted in the kingdom becoming a model for nations in promoting peace and charitable work.
Their remarks come on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day marked globally yesterday.
The UN this year relaunched its #ActForHumanity campaign to rally public pressure on those in power to uphold the laws that safeguard humanity, and to protect civilians and humanitarian workers in conflict zones
The message this year is ‘the humanitarian system is stretched to its limits; underfunded, overwhelmed and under attack, with more than 380 aid workers killed in 2024 alone’. The United Nations said they were relaunching #ActForHumanity with sharper urgency demanding protection, accountability and action.
Shaikh Nasser
Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani highlighted Bahrain’s dedication to promoting compassion, solidarity and humanitarian values.
He praised the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF)’s pioneering role and achievements over the past 24 years in caring for orphans and widows, implementing relief and development programmes in conflict and disaster zones, and enhancing co-operation with brotherly and friendly countries.
He noted the King’s humanitarian and diplomatic initiatives, including calls to provide education and healthcare for those affected by conflicts, support international efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, ensure safe and sustainable delivery of aid to civilians, and protect relief convoys and aid workers in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Dr Al Zayani affirmed that Bahrain, through its active participation in international and regional forums and its upcoming non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for the 2026-2027 term, will continue to work with a collective spirit and foster constructive international partnerships.
Social Development Minister Osama Al Alawi outlined the ministry’s commitment to advancing humanitarian work by continuing to empower civil society organisations and enhancing their role in delivering developmental initiatives.
He said the ministry has adopted a comprehensive strategy focused on strengthening community partnership, fostering innovation in humanitarian initiatives, and ensuring the efficient use of resources to guarantee lasting positive impact.
He also highlighted the efforts of RHF, chaired by His Majesty’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and the foundation’s board chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
“The foundation’s extensive efforts, both within Bahrain and abroad, in implementing projects, as well as delivering relief aid to countries affected by disasters and crises, present an honourable image of the kingdom in the field of international humanitarian action,” he said.
RHF secretary general Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said Bahrain had established its position internationally as a model in charitable work.
He added that the foundation, set up in 2001, continues to provide relief in several countries to alleviate the suffering of those affected by disasters and crises, alongside development projects that contribute to community building.
“The RHF also pays great attention to supporting orphans and widows within Bahrain through specialised programmes covering living, educational and health support to ensure their stability and empowerment, in addition to providing humanitarian aid to citizens in emergency situations,” said Shaikh Ali.
In March this year following directives from His Majesty, RHF dispatched a new humanitarian aid shipment to the Palestinian people in Gaza which included medical and food supplies, children’s necessities, blankets, clothing and tents.
Last year, RHF donated $3 million for construction of a new health centre in Jalazone refugee camp in the West Bank. The amount was handed over to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The UN agency said at the time the health centre will serve around 15,000 Palestine refugee patients.
In addition, RHF has funded several welfare projects such as a health centre, library and a centre for artificial limbs, in co-operation with relevant bodies, including UN agencies, assisting thousands of Palestinians.
His Majesty donated $8.5m and HRH Prince Salman contributed BD500,000 in 2023 to a national campaign themed ‘Day of Solidarity with Our People in Gaza... We Are with You’, held in co-operation with RHF, Bahrain TV, and the National Committee for Supporting the Palestinians in Gaza.
In addition, RHF has funded Bahrain Specialist Hospital in Somalia, provided aid following the devastating earthquake in Türkiye in 2023, opened two vocational training centres in Tacloban and Subic in the Philippines that serve more than 348,000 people, among other aid projects.
Following Typhoon Haiyan that hit the people of the Philippines in 2014, RHF opened two vocational training centres in Tacloban and Subic. The centres served more than 348,000 people. Each centre has administrative offices, four classrooms and four training workshops for electricity, plumbing, construction and carpentry, and each centre accommodates about 250 students.
In 2020, the RHF launched the popular home-grown campaign ‘Feena Khair’ (There is Good in Us) that helped several individuals and families, including expatriates, affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Statistics on RHF website shows that a total of 11,000 orphans and widows are benefiting from the foundation’s aid, 4,096 from its educational care and 8,311 from its health care. It also provides aid to 36,288 beneficiaries.
Bahrain was ranked 16th among 142 nations for its generosity and donations to charities, according to London-based Charities Aid Foundation World Giving Index 2024, which gave the kingdom a score of 51 per cent.
Bahrain was ranked among the 20 generous countries for donating to charities
The report surveyed more than 145,000 people globally and pointed out that 72pc in Bahrain helped a stranger in 2023, 56pc donated money to charities or the needy, and 26pc spent time volunteering.
The UAE took the lead among the Gulf countries as it was ranked 9th followed by Bahrain (16), Kuwait (18) and Saudi Arabia (33). Qatar and Oman were not featured in the Index.
Indonesia ranked first on the World Giving Index 2024 for the seventh year running, while Poland was ranked at 142.
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