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RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief’s supervisor general, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah launched the Sama’a Volunteer Program, a Saudi hearing volunteer program for cochlear implants and hearing rehabilitation, in Tunisia.
The launch of the program on Thursday in Tunis was also attended by Saudi Ambassador to Tunisia Dr. Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr, members of the diplomatic corps in Tunisia, and representatives of Arab and international organizations, according to a statement from the KSrelief media department to Arab News on Friday.
In his speech at the inauguration, Al-Rabeeah expressed his happiness to attend this distinguished group of Saudi medical personnel for the launch of the program in Tunisia, affirming the depth of the relations between the two countries, which extend back nearly a century.
Al-Rabeeah emphasized that humanitarian and volunteer work is an integral part of the Saudi identity, elevating its culture from mere material aid to a civilized vision that restores hope to those in need, strengthens ties between people, and revives the spirit of solidarity among all humankind.
The establishment of KSrelief was intended to transform this humanitarian legacy into an institutionalized effort that moves steadily, swiftly and professionally to respond to calls for help from anywhere in the world.
Over the course of a decade, KSRelief has implemented nearly 4,000 projects in 106 countries at a cost of nearly $8 billion.
Al Rabeeah said: “The Saudi hearing volunteer program, the first project of which we are launching in Tunisia, is one of the most prominent initiatives that KSrelief is proud of, given its profound humanitarian dimension. Through this program, thousands of children have been able to hear their mothers’ voices for the first time, and hope has been instilled in their families as they witnessed their children speak their first words.
“Today, we have come to expand the scope of this pioneering program in our second home country through four volunteer projects. Through these projects, 50 cochlear implant surgeries will be performed, and 50 families with children will be trained on hearing aids and how to use them. This will ensure the sustainability of the impact, in addition to fostering links between health care professionals in both countries and sharing expertise.”
The Sama’a Program is part of KSrelief’s broader efforts to expand access to specialized health care for vulnerable communities in Africa and beyond.
Commenting on the program, Dr. Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, assistant supervisor-general for planning and development at KSrelief, said: “Hearing loss affects each child differently. Some are born with it, others lose it later, but what they share is the potential to connect, learn and thrive when given the right care. That is what this program is here to support.”
KSrelief launched the Sama’a Volunteer Program in Kenya last week with children from Somalia also among the expected beneficiaries of this vital medical support to children affected by hearing loss.
These humanitarian efforts are part of the volunteer programs organized by the Kingdom, represented by KSrelief, to support the health sector in countries in need and improve medical services provided to patients.