By Hamad Al-Fahad
(with photos) AMMAN, Jan 8 (KUNA) -- A UNICEF official lauded Kuwait's humanitarian efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, describing them as a great example for the world due to its continuous humanitarian response throughout all the stages of the crisis.
"I take this opportunity to thank the State of Kuwait's leadership, government and people for its continuous efforts to help resolve this crisis, and on behalf of the UNICEF, its staff, and the children and their families, we thank Kuwait for its generosity," Maria Calivis, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in an exclusive interview to KUNA.
The international organizations concerned with the Syrian crisis are looking forward to the Second International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria to be hosted by Kuwait, said Calivis, adding that UNICEF received USD 470 million last year as it needs USD 835 million this year.
"About three million people in Syria and 350,000 others outside of it have benefited from the projects provided by the Kuwaiti grant to the organization (USD 55 million)," she said, pointing out that "it helped in providing the vaccinations against measles, rubella, mumps and polio for 1.1 million children in Syria and 685,000 others outside of it during last March and June." In regard to education, she said "With Kuwait's financial aid, we were able to purchase 1.1 million school bags for the children as we provided some of the needs of the refugee camps such as teachers' salaries, tents and school supplies." The Syrian crisis is not similar to natural disasters, because their outcome can be repaired in a short period of time, but the aftermath of wars includes violence, instability and difficult problems that require a long time to be solved, she noted.
On UNICEF's cooperation with other organizations, she indicated that it deals with 37 civil society organizations, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and local authorities, in addition to 18 civil society organizations, partners and contractors inside and outside of Syria.
The UN official stressed the UNICEF's commitment to the highest standards of transparency regarding using the aid provided to it, especially that it is a voluntary organization working through grants, which are subjected to annual audit published on the website, as well as a separate monitoring system that follows up with the aid delivery.
Calivis took up her post as Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Region based in Amman on 5 December, 2011. (end) hmf.ba KUNA 081013 Jan 14NNNN