Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), underscores its global role in health sector support and disease eradication as it observes World Polio Day, annually commemorated on October 24. Saudi Arabia's initiatives emphasize its dedication to eradicating polio by providing vaccinations, organizing awareness campaigns, and offering medical and logistical support to countries in need, in collaboration with international health organizations.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom entered into two significant agreements in 2025, allocating over $500 million to safeguard 370 million children from polio each year. The first agreement dedicated $300 million to bolster World Health Organization (WHO) efforts in high-risk countries, concentrating on preventive, technical, and epidemiological surveillance, as well as treatment activities to eliminate poliovirus in endemic regions, particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The agreement further aids national programs in countries nearing eradication and global initiatives to enhance health systems in targeted areas by improving preventive measures and providing essential resources and supplies to combat the virus.
The second agreement involved a $200 million allocation to support the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in high-risk regions, encompassing a broad array of vital activities. This includes fortifying supply and cold chain systems through vaccine procurement, carriers, and solar-powered refrigeration units, alongside supporting primary healthcare centers, vaccination campaigns, and community engagement through health education initiatives.
Saudi Arabia, represented by KSrelief, actively participates in observing World Polio Day to align with international efforts aimed at eradicating polio globally, mitigating its severe health impacts on individuals and communities, and raising awareness of the disease's serious consequences.