The Kingdom's Humanity
Saudi Arabia’s Decades of Humanitarian Giving
For many decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has generously responded to the urgent needs of people and countries in crisis around the world. Whether humanitarian crises were triggered by natural disasters, conflicts, famine, displacement or other emergencies, Saudi Arabia has provided billions of dollars in impartial aid, both bilaterally and through its strong network of international humanitarian partners. The Kingdom’s long history of giving is now being documented through the Saudi Aid Portal, a database overseen by KSrelief which records all aid from Saudi donors, both public and private, to beneficiaries and programs outside the Kingdom’s borders.
Since the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme began more than three decades ago, the leadership of Saudi Arabia has covered all costs for transportation to and from the Kingdom, accommodations and medical expenses for the twins and their accompanying family members.These children have been given the best possible chance to live healthy, productive lives thanks to the generosity of the Saudi royal family, beginning in 1990 with King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, followed by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have approved the treatment for each pair of twins since 2015 deemed by the surgical team to be good candidates for separation. Royal directives from the Kingdom’s leadership ensure that the children and their families receive all necessary care and support.
Since the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme began more than three decades ago, the leadership of Saudi Arabia has covered all costs for transportation to and from the Kingdom, accommodations and medical expenses for the twins and their accompanying family members.These children have been given the best possible chance to live healthy, productive lives thanks to the generosity of the Saudi royal family, beginning in 1990 with King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, followed by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have approved the treatment for each pair of twins since 2015 deemed by the surgical team to be good candidates for separation. Royal directives from the Kingdom’s leadership ensure that the children and their families receive all necessary care and support.
Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah
- Advisor to the Royal Court
- Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre
- Head of the Surgical and Multidisciplinary team for the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme.
Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah was born in Makkah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 23 February 1955. At an early age, he became interested in a career in the healing arts, and later pursued a medical education, which he began in Saudi Arabia and completed at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1987 with a Fellowship in Pediatric Surgery.
Dr. Al Rabeeah’s primary interest in treating conjoined twins has always been based upon his belief that every life has value, and that it is his duty as a surgeon to do his best to ensure that each child he treats receives his complete dedication and an absolute commitment to their well-being. When asked about who he feels is the most responsible for saving and improving the lives of these children, Dr. Al Rabeeah always credits, not himself, but God, the Saudi leadership, and his dedicated team of skilled professionals.
Dr. Al Rabeeah sees his role as a physician and surgeon as one of service to humanity, and this commitment has led to his team’s remarkable achievements in the field of conjoined twin separation – achievements which to date have not been matched by any other surgical team in the world.
