By Mohammad Al-Otaibi
NEW YORK, Dec 13 (KUNA) -- The State of Kuwait, since its independence in the 60s, has demonstrated keenness on aiding nations in need for help, resisting injustice and securing dignified living for the impoverished, notes a Kuwaiti diplomat here.
Such an approach has resulted in viewing humanitarian action as a feature of Kuwait's identity, therefore the United Nations has recently designated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as a "humanitarian leader" and Kuwait as a "humanitarian center," said Farah Toufic Al-Gharabally, the diplomatic attache serving with the Kuwaiti mission at the United Nations, shedding light on the background that has prompted the international organization to grant such distinctive honoring to the country's top leader and Kuwait itself.
The diplomatic attache was addressing A UN session examining plans for boosting UN humanitarian and relief aid in catastrophes worldwide.
UN honoring of His Highness the Amir signals the State of Kuwait's respect for humanity, promoting peace and aiding those in need, Al-Gharabally said, affirming that Kuwait would continue coordinating with the UN, aspiring to realise prosperity and stability for nations of the globe.
The diplomat Al-Gharabally indicated that Kuwait advocates international partnership, in this respect, and unifying nations' potentials and efforts to alleviate human suffering.
Global challenges, mounting threats against the human race, such as natural catastrophes, poverty, hunger and illness, constitute some of the UN preoccupations and these problems have prompted it to double regional and international efforts to cope with such catastrophes and other challenges, she said.
She praised the UN allocation of USD 482 million, in 2013, from the UN humanitarian activities fund and some USD 107 million for rapid response at times of crises, beside USD 175 million to fund operations in emergencies.
The diplomat noted that Kuwait supports UN calls upon the member states and charities to take pre-emptive acton vis a vis crises, expressed concern at excerpts in a UN report indicating that development rates in Gaza have been dropping, due to the continuing closure of the passageways and underground tunnels, through which the Gazans get their necessities.
Israeli occupation authorities have maintained the blockade on Gaza for eight years, thus causing humanitarian tragedies in the enclave.
She renewed the call upon the international community to coerce Tel Aviv lift the illegal siege of Gaza, immediately and without conditions. (end) mao.rk