Kuwait has reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to international humanitarian efforts by marking World Humanitarian Day on August 19. The occasion serves as a tribute to global aid workers and spotlights Kuwait’s extensive contributions in supporting populations affected by crises. Over the years, the nation has delivered assistance through both public and private channels, backing recovery and development in regions struck by disasters. r nThe United Nations established this annual observance to honor the 22 individuals who lost their lives in a 2003 bombing at its Baghdad headquarters. In recognition of Kuwait’s sustained generosity, the UN designated the country as a Center for Humanitarian Action in September 2014 and bestowed the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with the title ‘Leader of Humanitarian Action.’ r nKuwait has consistently ranked among the top donors to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), demonstrating its prioritization of humanitarian causes. On May 12, 2024, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah reaffirmed Kuwait’s dedication to global relief during a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, a stance praised by the UN leadership. r nVarious Kuwaiti institutions, including the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS), and the Kuwait Relief Society, have played pivotal roles in delivering aid. In July 2024, Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya led Kuwait’s delegation to the Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza Conference in Jordan. r nIn August 2024, KRCS dispatched emergency aid to flood-affected areas in Maareb and Al-Hodeida, Yemen. A month later, Kuwait launched an air bridge to deliver medical and food supplies to Sudan, followed by a USD 2.1 million agreement with Turkish authorities on August 28 to ship humanitarian goods to the same region. r nOn September 19, KRCS formalized a partnership with its Sudanese counterpart to assist communities impacted by severe flooding. Four days later, it initiated a relief campaign for families displaced by conflict in Lebanon. r nFurther efforts included the arrival of a Kuwaiti vessel carrying 2,500 tons of supplies at Port Sudan on October 2, and the opening of a medical complex in Skardu, Pakistan, by the Kuwaiti Society for Humanitarian Work on October 20. r nIn November and December 2024, Kuwait launched air relief operations for Lebanon and Syria, respectively. On December 2, it co-hosted an international conference in Cairo to strengthen humanitarian support for Gaza. r nIn January 2025, Kuwait contributed USD one million to UNRWA via its ambassador to Jordan. The Al-Khair Society sent 200 tons of aid to Syria on January 19 through 10 trucks dispatched from Turkey. r nKFAED advanced its development partnerships by signing a memorandum of understanding with the World Food Programme on February 13. On March 20, it finalized two agreements with UNICEF: one worth USD 1.5 million for water infrastructure in Gaza, and another valued at USD two million to rehabilitate education systems in Lebanon. r nIn April 2025, KFAED granted USD 2.5 million to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to support Somalia’s Humanitarian Fund for 2025–2026. It also committed USD one million to the UN Development Programme for water projects benefiting displaced persons and refugees in Sudan. r nFurther cooperation was established in May 2025 with Japan through a MoU aimed at expanding development initiatives and knowledge exchange. In June, a similar agreement was signed with the United Kingdom to provide USD 10 million in emergency aid, equally allocated to Sudan and Somalia. r nOn June 29, the UNHCR partnered with Abdullah Al-Nouri Charity through a grant agreement to support Syrian refugees in Jordan. r n— news from Kuwait News Agency
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Kuwait marks World Humanitarian Day, shedding light on its humanitarian record
News report by Esraa Ali r nKUWAIT, Aug 19 (KUNA) — The United Nations marks the World Humanitarian Day on August 19, an event that brings into limelight humanitarian initiatives launched by the State of Kuwait renowned for aiding peoples in need throughout the globe. nOver the past decades, Kuwait upon directions by the sagacious leadership has granted aid and support to those in need via government and private institutions, and has hosted many conferences and workshops to fund development and re-construction in countries afflicted with catastrophes. nThe UN General Assembly has designated August 19 as the day to glorify the humanitarian action, inspired by the demise of 22 people who perished in a blast at the UN offices in Baghdad in 2003. nAppreciating the aid from the Kuwaiti government and the people, to people suffering from hardships, the UN proclaimed Kuwait in September 2014 as the Center for Humanitarian Action and honored the late Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, with the title, Leader of Humanitarian Action. nPlacing the humanitarian action on top of its priorities, Kuwait committed itself to continuous support for the UN and its agencies, namely the High Commissioner for Refugees, ranking the largest contributor to the UNHCR during the past decade. nOn May 12, 2024, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, during a meeting with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, affirmed the commitment to pursue providing humanitarian aid for the needy on the global stage, prompting the UN chief to hail this obligation. nKuwait, via government departments, welfare societies, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the Kuwaiti Relief Society have been aiding communities and countries in the aftermath of crises or catastrophes. nOn July 11, 2024, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya headed Kuwait’s delegation at the Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza Conference, held in the Dead Sea region. It was co-organized by Jordan, Egypt, the UN, and grouped heads of state, premiers and chiefs of international relief agencies. nIn August 2024, Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) sent urgent assistance to victims of floods and torrential rain in Maareb and Al-Hodeida in Yemen. nOn August 14, 2024, Kuwait launched an air bridge dispatching medical and food supplies to Sudanese who suffered from floods and the impact of the internal violence. nOn August 28, 2024, Kuwait Relief Society signed an executive contract with the Turkish authority for human rights at a value of USD 2.1 million to send a shipload of humanitarian aid to Sudan. nOn September 19, 2024, the KRCS signed a cooperation deal with its Sudanese counterpart to help Sudanese who were impacted with devastating floods, and on September 24, it launched an aid campaign for families relocated due to Israeli attacks on Lebanon. nOn October 2, 2024, a Kuwaiti ship boarding 2,500 tons of relief supplies docked at Port Sudan. On October 20, the Kuwaiti Society for Humanitarian Work opened a medical complex in the Pakistani city of Skardu. nOn November 6, 2024, Kuwait launched an air relief bridge for Lebanon in the aftermath of an Israeli occupation offensive, and on December 30, it launched an identical bridge for Syria. nOn December 2, Kuwait launched the international conference for backing and boosting humanitarian response for Gaza, hosted by Cairo. nOn January 9, 2025, the State of Kuwait Ambassador to Jordan submitted a grant of USD one million to the UN refugee agency, the UNRWA. nOn January 19, the Kuwaiti Al-Khair Society sent 10 trucks bearing 200 tons of relief supplies from Turkiye to Syria. nOn February 13, KFAED signed a MoU for development cooperation with the World Food Programme. nOn March 20, KFAED inked two agreements with UNICEF, one worth USD 1.5 million specialized for funding the water sector in Gaza, and the other worth USD two million for overhauling education in Lebanon. nIn April, KFAED signed a USD 2.5 million grant accord with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to support the Humanitarian Fund for Somalia for the period 2025-26. It also signed in the same month with the UN Development Programme a USD one million accord to contribute to financing water projects for the displaced and refugees of Sudan. nIn May 2025, KFAED signed a MoU with Japan to expand development cooperation and swap know-how in development ventures. In June, it signed a memo for development cooperation with the UK to offer emergency aid for people in need in Sudan and Somalia. The USD 10 million aid will be divided equally between the two countries. nOn June 29, the UNHCR signed with Abdullah Al-Nouri charity a grant accord to help Syrian refugees in Jordan. (end) r neja.rk