The Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, launched the “Bathraa” initiative in Riyadh, aimed at empowering small-scale rural producers outside the Kingdom, in the presence of His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Eng. Mansour Al-Mushaiti.
In his speech, Dr. Al Rabeeah stated: “Today, we celebrate the launch of ‘Bathraa,’ rooted in the firm belief that true development begins when people are empowered to rise on their own. This initiative embodies sustainability and demonstrates that even the smallest seed can yield the greatest impact.”
He emphasized that the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre believes that giving is complete only when it leads to empowerment. The “Bathraa” initiative transforms hardship into opportunities, opening new horizons for targeted communities to overcome the effects of crises and rebuild their lives. The initiative integrates the expertise of national institutions, primarily the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, with international and local partners in countries in need, creating a coordinated system that produces tangible and lasting results.
To ensure the initiative’s impact, the Centre has launched specialized projects focusing on community-based agriculture, technical support, professional training, financing small rural enterprises, and innovative and sustainable marketing of their products.
At the conclusion of his speech, Dr. Al Rabeeah invited the Centre’s partners, donors, the private sector, civil society, and corporate social responsibility pioneers to join the global initiative, hoping that “Bathraa” will become a seed that grows good, yields productive results, and spreads hope for a brighter future where people live dignified lives regardless of circumstances.
Eng. Mansour Al-Mushaiti highlighted the international significance of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, describing it as a global humanitarian legacy with a distinguished Saudi imprint. He noted that the partnership with the Centre aims to link action to impact, relief to development, and giving to empowerment, ultimately fostering community development and sustainable progress.
He explained that the collaboration is based on three pillars: enhancing sustainability through cooperation with the National Center for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development “Estidamah,” transferring Saudi knowledge and expertise through collaboration with the “Reef Saudi Academy,” and developing rural areas inside and outside the Kingdom in partnership with the “Reef Saudi Program.”
Eng. Al-Mushaiti stressed that Saudi Arabia has become a global model for sustainable development and humanitarian work, with its experience serving as a valuable international reference. He highlighted that success depends on the support and empowerment of leadership, national capabilities, and coordination across government, private, and non-profit sectors.
The launch event included a documentary showcasing the Bathraa initiative, highlighting its crucial role in supporting small-scale rural producers worldwide—farmers, livestock breeders, beekeepers, and fishermen—from providing seeds and essential materials, training, and marketing their products, to generating revenue that strengthens local communities and enhances self-sufficiency.
The Centre also signed five agreements with several local entities to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as knowledge exchange, capacity building, research studies, humanitarian and relief programs, and comprehensive agricultural development.
The ceremony concluded with Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah honoring the organizations that sponsored the launch of the Bathraa initiative.
