KFAED, Turkey sign USD 20 mln loan agreement in aid of Syrian refugees

ANKARA, Jan 19 (KUNA) -- The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has signed a USD 20 million loan agreement with Turkey, aimed at giving Syrian refugees in the country unimpeded access to healthcare and education.
Director General of KFAED Abdulwahab Al-Bader signed the agreement along with Turkish Ministry of National Education Undersecretary Yusuf Buyuk and Ministry of Health Undersecretary Torkan Alpay.
"The plan aims to finance projects that would help mitigate the economic and social burdens that Syrian refugees have to endure," Al-Bader said in a press conference.
"Healthcare projects are designed to give the refugees easier access to medical necessities" Al-Bader added.
"The healthcare project comprises approximately 21 medical centers and 40 family clinics and the project is expected to be completed by year's end," Al-Bader noted.
The healthcare projects are to be conducted in the country's southern cities of Sanliurfa, Kilis, Hatay, Gaziantep, Mardin, Mersin, Adana and Van, he announced.
Moreover, educational projects are aimed at giving Syrian refugees unhindered access to education, the KFAED Director General said.
The educational project consists of six schools, complete with necessary utensils and is also expected to be completed by the end of the year, Al-Bader added.
The KFAED loan will cover the entire cost of the projects, which amounts to USD 20 million, he noted.
Kuwait's Ambassador to Turkey Abdullah Al-Thuwaikh hailed the loan agreement, describing it as "one of many contributions made by Kuwait in support of Syrian refugees." Buyuk highlighted the significance of the agreement, stressing that Turkey is "doing everything it can to help every Syrian child in the country." KFAED has contributed loans worth USD 348 million in aid of Syrian refugees in Turkey.
Turkey is hosting more refugees than any other country in the world, including some 2.2 million Syrians fleeing their country's civil war. (end) rs.nam