Muscat – More than 46,000 people across Oman benefited from humanitarian and social assistance during the first half of 2026, as the sultanate moves to strengthen its crisis-response system through the newly launched Oman Red Crescent.

The support included food assistance, orphan sponsorship, cash aid and educational, medical and housing programmes, as well as emergency relief, according to Oman Charitable Organization.

Marking World Humanitarian Day on August 19, Badr bin Mohammed Al Zaabi, Acting CEO of the organisation, said Oman’s approach seeks to combine immediate relief with longer-term support in areas such as health, education, housing and development.

“Regardless of the cause and location of a crisis, the human being remains the focus and goal of the response,” Al Zaabi said, stressing that humanitarian assistance should be guided by need rather than geography or differences.

A major part of that strategy is the Oman Red Crescent, launched in March under the organisation’s umbrella. It is intended to strengthen preparedness for disasters and emergencies, develop volunteer and field capabilities and deepen cooperation with international humanitarian bodies.

“We look forward to the Oman Red Crescent forming an effective humanitarian arm… and enhancing the capabilities of the sultanate in humanitarian response, emergencies and disasters,” Al Zaabi said.

Outside Oman, the organisation said its work in the first half of the year included relief and medical assistance, education support and orphan sponsorship in several countries, tailored to local needs.

Private sector support is also being expanded. Al Zaabi said companies are required to allocate at least 20% of their corporate social responsibility budgets to the organisation, helping sustain and broaden humanitarian programmes.

In the meanwhile, the organisation is implementing a 2026-2028 development plan focused on digital transformation, governance, funding diversification and better use of data and artificial intelligence to identify needs and direct aid more efficiently.

World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on August 19 to recognise humanitarian workers and promote international solidarity in responding to crises and disasters.