GENEVA, March 28 (KUNA) -- UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said on Friday tha the Kuwaiti contribution and financial aid for the victims of the Syrian crisis have enabled many organizations to implement projects of great significance.
Guterres said in a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) after meeting with the Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the UN and international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Jamal Al-Ghoneim, "This generous Kuwaiti donation has enabled us to save the lives of many many victims through implementing several projects, particularly for the benefit of children, women and older persons." The commissioner stressed that the "Kuwaiti donations reflect the vision of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and facilitated the cooperation with nearly a hundred of UN agencies and non- governmental organizations in dealing with the current crisis." "The last census of Syrian refugees have now reached more than 2.6 million people are now guests of the neighboring countries, which suffer from limited infrastructure and then need ongoing support in the areas of health, nutrition, shelter, sanitation, clean drinking water and education." He pointed out that the number of Syrian refugees and displaced persons has now become the world's highest in a tragic situation, which no one expected three years ago, but the tragedy is growing steadily.
He stressed that "the State of Kuwait provides an example in dealing with humanitarian crises not only in its region but also around the world through their voluntary contributions".
On his part, Ambassador Jamal Al-Ghoneim told KUNA that the meeting reviewed projects implemented by the UNHCR and the development of activities dealing with the victims of the tragic humanitarian crisis not only in Syria and neighboring countries, but also in countries such as the Philippines or Somalia, where Kuwait financed a number of projects there." The Kuwaiti ambassador pointed out the confidence of the High Commissioner for Refugees in the Kuwaiti donations, which come from a neutral perspective and away from political backgrounds, focusing only on how to reduce the negative repercussions of the Syrian crisis and other crises.
Al-Ghoneim said that the role played by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in supporting the efforts of the UNHCR in dealing with humanitarian crises through donations is greatly appreciated. (end) ta.mt KUNA 281624 Mar 14NNNN