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Kuwait celebrates World Humanitarian Day with record of global relief efforts

Kuwait celebrates World Humanitarian Day with record of global relief efforts

Kuwait Times2 days ago
Minister: World Humanitarian Day is a tribute to workers
KUWAIT: As the world observed World Humanitarian Day on Tuesday, Kuwait highlighted its longstanding legacy of humanitarian action, which has earned it international recognition as a leading donor and supporter of communities facing wars, disasters and crises worldwide. For decades, Kuwait's leadership, institutions and civil society have extended assistance through relief campaigns and international conferences aimed at rebuilding affected nations. In acknowledgment of these efforts, the United Nations designated Kuwait as a 'Humanitarian Center' in 2014 and honored the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as 'Humanitarian Leader.'
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to this legacy, pledging continued support for global humanitarian causes during a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in May. Guterres described Kuwait's role as 'pioneering and exemplary.'
Kuwait remains one of the largest regional contributors to UN humanitarian agencies, particularly UNHCR, while institutions such as the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) continue to deliver urgent relief worldwide. Over the past year, Kuwaiti aid has reached Gaza, Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Pakistan and Somalia, in addition to sustained annual support for UNRWA and cooperation agreements with UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDP and OCHA. Most recently, Kuwait launched a second airlift of humanitarian supplies to Gaza, transporting dozens of tons of food and emergency relief for Palestinians under siege.
Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah said the occasion is an opportunity to honor humanitarian workers worldwide, including Kuwaiti volunteers who embody the country's humanitarian spirit in times of crisis. She stressed that Kuwait's people consistently step forward with donations and relief efforts, underscoring the society's deep-rooted commitment to solidarity and compassion. Al-Huwailah also highlighted the growing challenges facing humanitarian work, including security risks for aid workers and barriers to accessing conflict zones. She called for stronger international protection mechanisms and the facilitation of aid delivery to ensure relief reaches those most in need.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed these sentiments, stressing Kuwait's appreciation for the sacrifices of humanitarian workers, particularly those on the front lines in disaster and conflict zones. It underscored the need for stronger global coordination to safeguard humanitarian efforts and ensure their sustainability, especially in light of the dire situation facing the Palestinian people. World Humanitarian Day, established by the UN General Assembly in 2008, is marked annually on August 19 to honor humanitarian workers, commemorate their sacrifices, and shed light on the growing challenges they face across the globe. — KUNA
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Kuwait celebrates World Humanitarian Day with record of global relief efforts
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Kuwait Times

time2 days ago

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Kuwait celebrates World Humanitarian Day with record of global relief efforts

Minister: World Humanitarian Day is a tribute to workers KUWAIT: As the world observed World Humanitarian Day on Tuesday, Kuwait highlighted its longstanding legacy of humanitarian action, which has earned it international recognition as a leading donor and supporter of communities facing wars, disasters and crises worldwide. For decades, Kuwait's leadership, institutions and civil society have extended assistance through relief campaigns and international conferences aimed at rebuilding affected nations. In acknowledgment of these efforts, the United Nations designated Kuwait as a 'Humanitarian Center' in 2014 and honored the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as 'Humanitarian Leader.' His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to this legacy, pledging continued support for global humanitarian causes during a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in May. Guterres described Kuwait's role as 'pioneering and exemplary.' Kuwait remains one of the largest regional contributors to UN humanitarian agencies, particularly UNHCR, while institutions such as the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) continue to deliver urgent relief worldwide. Over the past year, Kuwaiti aid has reached Gaza, Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Pakistan and Somalia, in addition to sustained annual support for UNRWA and cooperation agreements with UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDP and OCHA. Most recently, Kuwait launched a second airlift of humanitarian supplies to Gaza, transporting dozens of tons of food and emergency relief for Palestinians under siege. Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah said the occasion is an opportunity to honor humanitarian workers worldwide, including Kuwaiti volunteers who embody the country's humanitarian spirit in times of crisis. She stressed that Kuwait's people consistently step forward with donations and relief efforts, underscoring the society's deep-rooted commitment to solidarity and compassion. Al-Huwailah also highlighted the growing challenges facing humanitarian work, including security risks for aid workers and barriers to accessing conflict zones. She called for stronger international protection mechanisms and the facilitation of aid delivery to ensure relief reaches those most in need. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed these sentiments, stressing Kuwait's appreciation for the sacrifices of humanitarian workers, particularly those on the front lines in disaster and conflict zones. It underscored the need for stronger global coordination to safeguard humanitarian efforts and ensure their sustainability, especially in light of the dire situation facing the Palestinian people. World Humanitarian Day, established by the UN General Assembly in 2008, is marked annually on August 19 to honor humanitarian workers, commemorate their sacrifices, and shed light on the growing challenges they face across the globe. — KUNA

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