The United Nations observes World Humanitarian Day on August 19, a date commemorating the 2003 bombing of its Baghdad office that claimed 22 lives. This occasion also spotlights Kuwait’s extensive contributions to global relief efforts, driven by both governmental and civil society institutions. r nGuided by visionary leadership, Kuwait has consistently extended assistance to populations affected by crises, hosting numerous international forums to mobilize funding for reconstruction and development in disaster-affected regions. In recognition of its humanitarian leadership, the UN designated Kuwait a Center for Humanitarian Action in September 2014 and honored the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with the title “Leader of Humanitarian Action.” r nHumanitarian initiatives remain a cornerstone of Kuwait’s foreign policy, with the nation maintaining strong support for the UN and its agencies. Over the past decade, it has ranked as the top donor to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). r nOn May 12, 2024, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to global humanitarian aid during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, a pledge that was publicly commended by the UN chief. r nMultiple Kuwaiti entities, including government bodies, welfare organizations, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), and the Kuwaiti Relief Society, have been instrumental in delivering aid following natural disasters and conflicts. r nIn July 2024, Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya led Kuwait’s delegation to the Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza Conference in Jordan. The event, co-hosted by Egypt, Jordan, and the UN, brought together heads of state and international aid leaders. r nLater that year, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) dispatched emergency aid to flood-affected areas in Maareb and Al-Hodeida, Yemen, in August. On August 14, an air bridge was launched to deliver medical and food supplies to Sudanese communities impacted by flooding and internal conflict. r nOn August 28, the Kuwait Relief Society signed a USD 2.1 million agreement with Turkish human rights authorities to ship humanitarian goods to Sudan. r nIn September, KRCS formalized a partnership with its Sudanese counterpart to assist flood victims and initiated an aid campaign for families displaced by military actions in Lebanon. r nOctober saw a Kuwaiti vessel carrying 2,500 tons of relief materials arrive at Port Sudan. Later that month, the Kuwaiti Society for Humanitarian Work inaugurated a medical complex in Skardu, Pakistan. r nIn November, an air relief operation was launched for Lebanon following military escalation, followed by a similar mission for Syria at year’s end. r nOn December 2, Kuwait co-sponsored an international conference in Cairo to bolster humanitarian support for Gaza. r nIn January 2025, Kuwait’s ambassador to Jordan delivered a USD one million grant to UNRWA. The Al-Khair Society sent 10 trucks with 200 tons of supplies from Turkey to Syria on January 19. r nFebruary marked a cooperation agreement between KFAED and the World Food Programme. In March, KFAED finalized two deals with UNICEF: one worth USD 1.5 million for water infrastructure in Gaza, and another for USD two million to rehabilitate Lebanon’s education system. r nApril brought a USD 2.5 million grant to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to support Somalia’s Humanitarian Fund through 2026, along with a USD one million agreement with the UN Development Programme for water projects serving displaced persons and refugees in Sudan. r nIn May, KFAED established a memorandum with Japan to enhance development cooperation and knowledge exchange. In June, a similar pact was signed with the UK to deliver USD 10 million in emergency aid, split evenly between Sudan and Somalia. r nOn June 29, the UNHCR finalized a funding agreement with the Abdullah Al-Nouri charity to assist Syrian refugees in Jordan.
— news from Kuwait News Agency
— News Original —
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