Jeddah (UNA) – The Secretary-General of the King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Communication, Professor Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Fawzan, stressed that humanitarian work is not merely an emergency response to crises or the provision of aid, but rather an integrated effort aimed at ensuring human dignity and preserving basic rights to a decent life. He explained that humanitarian work is also a practical translation of human rights values and an affirmation of the human right to live a decent life.
This came in his speech during the Ramadan evening organized by the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission, in cooperation with the Union of News Agencies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (UNA), on Thursday, March 5, 2026, corresponding to Ramadan 16, 1447 AH, which was held via Zoom under the title: “Humanitarian work as a tool to promote human rights and the values of coexistence and tolerance.”
He stressed that humanitarian work requires people to stand by their brothers in times of hardship, and to help them when they are sick or in need. It also means countries supporting each other when they are exposed to disasters, calamities, wars, and famines, and rushing to provide effective and immediate assistance to those affected.
He pointed out that the role of humanitarian work stands out as a tool for promoting human rights, as humanitarian organizations and charities can reach the most needy communities and the most destitute individuals, and work to ensure their rights to health, education and all aspects of life, and launch community development initiatives and empower women and youth, which benefits the entire society.
He pointed out that over time, the concept of humanitarian work has evolved, no longer limited to providing aid and assistance to the most needy communities and individuals. It has become an organized endeavor subject to governance and precise standards to ensure the quality of its outcomes. Examples include the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, which has provided assistance in 113 countries and implemented 4219 projects, in addition to other humanitarian organizations such as the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (MiSK), the King Khalid Foundation, and the Princess Al-Anoud Charitable Foundation, among others.
Regarding human rights, he said, “They are rights inherent in all human beings, regardless of their nationality, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or color, and all these rights are interrelated and indivisible.”
Dr. Al-Fawzan explained that the humanitarian principle aims to alleviate people’s suffering, protect life and health, and ensure respect for human beings, while the principle of neutrality means integrity and impartiality of humanitarian workers towards any party, and non-interference in political affairs or conflicts.
He pointed to the principle of non-discrimination, explaining that it means not discriminating on the basis of gender, race, religion or social status, and giving priority to those who are most in need.
Regarding the role of humanitarian work in promoting human rights, he pointed out that this begins with promoting the principle of human dignity through respecting human beings without discrimination, as well as meeting basic needs such as providing food, health care and education, especially during crises and disasters, in addition to spreading awareness of the culture of human rights by educating communities and promoting the values of solidarity and cooperation to build more just and equitable societies, and also contributing to achieving stability and development by supporting education and health and building capacities, which promotes sustainable development and respect for rights, and protecting the most vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly, refugees and displaced persons from violations and exploitation.
He stressed that the role of humanitarian work in promoting the values of coexistence and tolerance is to build bridges of cooperation between societies, so that individuals from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds work to serve those in need, which promotes understanding and coexistence, as well as promoting social peace by empowering marginalized groups and encouraging community participation, spreading a culture of solidarity and social responsibility in a way that promotes shared human values and reduces intolerance and racism, and contributing to solving social problems through relief intervention and assistance to needy groups, which reduces conflicts resulting from poverty and need, and highlighting the tolerant image of the Islamic religion through humanitarian efforts provided without religious or ethnic discrimination.
The Secretary-General of the King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Communication concluded by emphasizing that humanitarian workers represent the first line of defense, exposing themselves to risks in order to ensure the survival of people, provide for their needs, and preserve their dignity, regardless of the grave dangers.
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