UNICEF’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Geert Cappelaere, welcomed the Kingdom’s contribution of $4.7 million (SR17.6 million) for programs to vaccinate children against preventable diseases, in addition to $33 million to support ongoing initiatives in Yemen tacking a cholera outbreak and acute watery diarrhea. This contribution comes under directives from Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense - the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) - in response to funding appeals from the World Health Organization and UNICEF to help them to fight the cholera epidemic, including support for the water and sanitation sectors in Yemen, amounting up to $66.7 million. In a press statement published on UNICEF’s official website, Cappelaere said: "The contribution from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia comes at a critical time. It will support the work of UNICEF and other partners on the ground to prevent cholera and acute watery diarrhea from spreading including through the delivery of vaccines, water disinfection material, hygiene kits and awareness campaigns."