By Samie Al-Dulaimi
KUWAIT, Nov 22 (KUNA) -- The International Red Cross has applauded the Kuwaiti government's commitment to support the families of people missing since the 1990-91 Gulf War and its diplomacy efforts to ease the flow of humanitarian aid worldwide.
"We have to commend the Kuwaiti government for their commitment to search for answers, but also, for their commitment to really support the families of these missing people," said Dr. Hugo Slim, ICRC's Head of Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy.
"Speaking frankly, not every government cares for the families of missing people as much as the Kuwaiti government does," Slim told KUNA in an exclusive interview.
The issue was discussed amid tripartite talks between the ICRC, Kuwait Red Crescent (KCRS) and the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry along with Kuwait's diplomatic efforts on the humanitarian scale, particularly on Myanmar.
"Money and assistance can help people stay alive and survive but political influence, (and) diplomatic efforts, these things can really help the ICRC.
"As a humanitarian leader, the Kuwaiti government uses its humanitarian influence whenever possible on states and varying parties in the different conflicts," he said.
These efforts help broaden inter-humanitarian agency cooperation and ease humanitarian access to conflict areas, explained the ICRC official.
Furthermore, as Kuwait prepares to serve a two-year term as a non-permanent member on the Security Council, Slim hopes that the Gulf country would use its influence as a humanitarian leader to make the issue of missing people a "global priority." The talks also discussed cooperation between the KRCS and the ICRC on humanitarian efforts in both Syria and Yemen.
"They've (KRCS) played an important role in Yemen and in Syria and we've been able to work with them and often cooperate at a very operational level," he said, namely on the distribution of food and medical supplies.
Regarding Syria, Slim said that Kuwait has played an "extraordinary leading role" on mobilising the international community to provide much-needed funds to address the humanitarian plight of Syrian refugees.
Three donors' conferences hosted by Kuwait raised USD 7.5 billion to help the victims of the Syrian conflict, of which Kuwait granted USD 1.5 billion.
Kuwait also co-organized another two pledging conferences along with Britain and the European Union on the matter.
These efforts were hailed by the United Nations, which handed His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah the title of 'Humanitarian Leader' and Kuwait a 'Humanitarian Centre.' Kuwait also plans to host a pledging conference dedicated to efforts aimed at rebuilding cities and towns in Iraq reclaimed from Islamic State group control early next year. (end) sd