Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, advisor at the Royal Court and supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), recently inaugurated the Saudi Voluntary Program for Auditory Rehabilitation and Cochlear Implants in Gaziantep, Turkey. The program aims to assist those affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkiye by providing cochlear implant surgeries, volunteer programs, and other forms of support. The launch event was attended by Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber and featured the screening of documentaries showcasing the impact of the humanitarian programs on children benefiting from the Cochlear Implant and Auditory Rehabilitation Program.
During the ceremony, a Turkish child who had received a cochlear implant expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Saudi volunteer teams in helping him regain speech. Dr. Al-Rabeeah expressed his pleasure at the launch of the humanitarian programs, which were initiated following the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also thanked Turkiye for its support and emphasized the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. The Saudi Program for Cochlear Implants and Auditory Rehabilitation is set to benefit 940 Syrian and Turkish beneficiaries, with various volunteer programs also planned to assist more than 5,000 individuals.
In addition to the cochlear implant program, Dr. Al-Rabeeah launched various other volunteer initiatives in Hatay Province, including a Volunteer Medical Program for Prosthetics and Physical Therapy, a Volunteer Psychological Support Program, and a Volunteer Training Program for Economic Empowerment. These programs aim to provide essential health services, psychological support, and economic empowerment to those affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkiye. The total cost of aid provided by Saudi Arabia to those affected by the earthquake amounts to $91.5 million, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to delivering its humanitarian message to communities in need worldwide.
The Volunteer Program for Auditory Rehabilitation and Cochlear Implants in Gaziantep is considered the most significant humanitarian cochlear implant program for children globally, with 24 volunteer programs planned to be implemented. The program will provide cochlear implant surgeries, hearing aids, and rehabilitation programs to benefit 940 individuals. The launch event in Gaziantep was a symbol of the commitment of Saudi Arabia, represented by KSrelief, to standing by the affected people of Syria and Turkiye and offering support to alleviate the impact of the earthquake. Dr. Al-Rabeeah expressed gratitude for the presence and support of all those involved in the projects and highlighted the importance of continuing the close cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Turkiye for the betterment of humanity.
Overall, the Saudi Voluntary Program for Auditory Rehabilitation and Cochlear Implants aims to provide essential support to those affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkiye. Through various volunteer programs, including cochlear implant surgeries, prosthetics, physical therapy, psychological support, economic empowerment, and food and health assistance, the program seeks to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals in need. The total aid provided by Saudi Arabia to those affected by the earthquake reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to delivering humanitarian assistance to communities worldwide and standing by those in need during challenging times.
