News feature by Mahmoud Boushehri
AMMAN, Jan 8 (KUNA) -- Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) has sought to be on top in humanitarian action, particularly, at the local level and in Arab states since its launch in 1966, placing all possible and available resources at the disposal of relieving crises or catastrophes-stricken peoples worldwide.
In line with this approach, the KRCS has mapped out, since flare-up of the Syrian crisis in 2011, a plan aimed at securing the largest amount possible of aid to as many as possible of Syrians who have been locally relocated or forced to flee to countries neighboring their war-torn homeland, including the Kingdom of Jordan.
The Society has practically built a bridge of humanitarian aid for the war-tormented Syrians, dispatching rows of convoys laden with food, medical supplies, clothing and other basic materials for the refugees.
The Kuwaiti humanitarian mission is continuing, delivering relief supplies and necessities to more than 1.4 million Syrians who have taken up refuge in the Jordanian capital, the Kingdom governorates, cities and border areas.
According to a statistical study, the KRCS built, in 2015, a clinic within premises of the Jordanian Red Crescent Hospital to treat the refugees for a one-year duration. The clinic, construction of which cost some USD 500,000, receives 25-30 cases per day, providing treatment for various illnesses and cases, including fractures and burns.
Moreover, the society has paid USD 84,000 to use one of the hospital buildings for securing dental treatment for the refugees for a year-long time. At least 10 cases are admitted daily at this special ward. Also, it has provided medical facilities for babies' circumcision. The procedure (practiced by Muslims) has been conducted for 3,000 babies.
In addition to the badly needed medical aid, the Kuwaiti association rented more than 70 bakeries to distribute bread to the refugees for a month-long duration. The phased "glove project" had provided more than 15.5 million pieces of bread since February 2013, benefiting more than 43,000 cash-strapped Syrian families. During the fasting month of Ramadan, in 2013 and 2014, the Kuwaiti society provided 500-700 feast-breaking meals for 36,000 refugees.
Furthermore, the society has worked out a contract with local merchants to give purchase coupons, each valued at KD 50 (USD 70), for the refugees to get clothes and utensils. Some 3,500 families have benefited from these coupons.
The society has also provided necessities for Syrian students, renovated some schools to help in accommodating the Syrian pupils. Also, livestock has been given to thousands of families, in addition to food parcels, bedclothes, heating devices and toys.
The KRCS celebrates its golden jubilee on January 10th, boasting a long record of humanitarian and relief missions worldwide. Its staff and volunteers have been seen in hot and dangerous spots in various countries, aiding people stranded amid bloody conflicts, or suffering from effects of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.
The generous Kuwaiti aid, worth billions of US dollars, has practically developed into "humanitarian diplomacy," earning Kuwait the UN designation, the "Humanitarian Center." His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the number-one mastermind of this humanitarian policy has also been granted the title, the "Humanitarian Leader," by the UN chief, Ban Ki-moon. (end) mjb.rk