KSrelief and UNICEF partnership delivers lifesaving health and nutrition support for children and families in Gaza

RIYADH, 3 September 2026 –  With support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), UNICEF has delivered lifesaving health and nutrition services to tens of thousands of vulnerable children, women and families across the Gaza Strip. The support has helped sustain maternal, newborn and child health services, expand access to primary health care, and strengthen critical care capacity at a time when ongoing hostilities, repeated displacement, damaged infrastructure and severe shortages of essential medical supplies continue to place immense pressure on Gaza’s health system.

Over the course of the project, and with the support of KSrelief, UNICEF provided life-saving medicines and medical supplies to pregnant and breastfeeding women and supported health facilities delivering maternal, newborn and child health services. More than 61,500 pregnant and breastfeeding women benefited from essential medicine and medical supplies, including antibiotics, anticoagulants and injectable therapies required for acute and chronic care. In addition, thousands of women and children accessed antenatal, postnatal and child health services, helping safeguard maternal and child health during a period of severe disruption to the healthcare system. 

The partnership also enabled UNICEF and its partners to expand access to primary health care and community-based health and nutrition services. Through supported facilities and outreach services, 39,639 children under the age of five and 27,712 people accessed primary health care services, significantly exceeding initial targets. The project further supported screening, prevention and treatment services for acute malnutrition, while strengthening community-based counselling and health promotion activities for caregivers and families. 

To strengthen critical care capacity, UNICEF procured and delivered specialized neonatal and pediatric equipment, including 25 Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) beds, ventilators, patient monitors, oxygen delivery systems and emergency resuscitation devices. The equipment is expected to support thousands of critically ill newborns and children once fully operational, helping expand access to advanced care services in a highly constrained environment. UNICEF also supported the training of 250 health workers in neonatal care, infection prevention and the management of premature infants, contributing to longer-term improvements in the quality of care. 

“Saudi Arabia through KSrelief remains committed to supporting humanitarian efforts that alleviate suffering and improve access to essential services for vulnerable populations. Our partnership with UNICEF reflects our shared commitment to protecting children and supporting families affected by crisis. Through this project, critical health and nutrition services have reached those most in need, helping preserve lives and strengthen the resilience of communities facing extremely difficult circumstances. We value this collaboration and look forward to continuing our joint efforts to support the people of Gaza,” said H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of KSrelief. 

“At a time when Gaza’s health system is under immense pressure, this partnership is translating solidarity into concrete, lifesaving support for children and families,” said Lana Al Wreikat, UNICEF Gulf Area Director. “We are deeply grateful to KSrelief and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their steadfast partnership. Together, we are helping women access essential maternal care, ensuring children receive critical health and nutrition services, equipping health workers and facilities to care for the most vulnerable, and protecting children’s lives when they need us most.”

UNICEF and KSrelief remain committed to supporting vulnerable children and families in Gaza and to ensuring continued access to essential health, nutrition and primary health care services for those affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

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