LOC08:43
05:43 GMT
former finance minister Bader AlHumaidi
KUWAIT, March 27 (KUNA) -- Former ministers have underlined importance of Kuwaitآ’s hosting of the third International Pledging Conference for the Syrian people because it contributes to alleviating suffering of the Syrian people, internally displaced and refugees.
The Syrian people, who have been suffering since the conflict in their country broke out in March 2011, are in dire need for assistance, the ministers agreed during statements to KUNA.
They said Kuwait played a pioneering role in hosting the first and second donorsآ’ conferences for the Syrian people in 2013 and 2014, which collectively secured USD 3.9 billion, of them Kuwait contributed USD 800 million.
The upcoming donorsآ’ conference, due on March 31, reflects Kuwaitآ’s keenness to help address economic, social, health and housing needs of some 12.5 million Syrian people who are either internally displaced or refugees in neighboring countries - Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt.
"Kuwaitآ’s hosting of the third conference of donors to support the humanitarian situation in Syria shows keenness of Kuwait to compliment previous efforts to help the Syrian brothers," Bader Al-Humaidhi, a former finance minister, said.
He said he was fully confident Kuwait would announce financial pledges for the needy Syrians, which would encourage others to follow suit.
Former minister of oil Hani Hussain said the hosting of the next conference, also known as Kuwait III, will be a major addition to Kuwaitآ’s humanitarian record. Hussain underlined importance of taking care of the refugees and internally displaced by providing them with basic needs.
Ahmad Al-Haroun, an ex-minister of commerce and industry, said the UN honoring of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, during a ceremony in New York last September, as a "Humanitarian Leader," and Kuwait as a "Humanitarian Center," showed how the Gulf country excelled in helping the needy around the globe.
His Highness the Amir rightly deserves the "Humanitarian Leader" title, he said.
Al-Haroun recalled the suffering of the Syrian people due to the political, security and military crises that have been marring their country for four years now.
The Syrian conflict, which is in its fifth year now, killed more than 220,000 people and wounded many more others as well as caused massive destruction of the national economy.
Mustafa Al-Shimali, who had also served as finance minister, hoped donors would be generous to supporting the Syrian people.
He said proper plans should be placed to alleviate suffering of the Syrian people and make sure the refugees get back to their country.
Kuwait III is due to feature participation of 78 countries and more than 40 international organizations. Pledges of Kuwait I amounted to USD 1.5 billion while the second donorsآ’ conference saw pledges totaling USD 2.4 billion. Kuwait pledged USD 300 million in the first and USD 500 million in the second. (end)
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