By Nawwaf Al-Deqbasi
DOHA, March 19 (KUNA) -- A Qatari Red Crescent Society (QRC) official has praised the humanitarian endeavors by the State of Kuwait and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's relentless support for the Syrian people, whether internally displaced or refugees.
His Highness the Amir has a "clear humanitarian and diplomatic vision" vis-a-vis the suffering of the Syrian people, Saleh Al-Mohannadi, QRC Secretary General, said in a statement to KUNA ahead of an international donors' conference for the Syrian people, due in Kuwait end of this month.
Kuwait, led by His Highness the Amir, rushed to the help of the Syrian people soon after the conflict broke out in March 2011, said Al-Mohannadi.
His Highness the Amir, he added, has been defending rights of the Syrian people and calling for providing them with their humanitarian needs.
Kuwait is set to host, on March 31, a third aid-pledging conference for Syrians displaced within and outside of their country after another two in 2013 and 2014.
The former two conferences were successful in raising USD 3.9 billion in aid pledges - USD 1.5 billion in the first and USD 2.4 billion in the second. Kuwait donated a total of USD 800 million in the two conferences - USD 300 million in the first and USD 500 in the second.
The third donors' conference, also known as Kuwait III, reflects Kuwait's "huge endeavors ... to help the Syrian brothers," said Al-Mohannadi.
QRC is keen on participating in Kuwait III out of its concern of the plight of internally displaced Syrians or refugees in neighboring countries, estimated at 12.5 million people.
"The Syrian refugees issue is still a major concern for the international community because it is one of the largest displacement acts in the world, with the conflict entering its fifth year without any signs of hopes of a breakthrough for the Syrian crisis," he said.
Qatar, noted Al-Mohannadi, contributed USD 1.6 billion to alleviate suffering of the Syrian refugees and the Gulf countries has been providing food, winter clothes and medical supplies.
QRC, established in 1978, is also active in the management of medical clinics, psychological treatment and winter relief, he said, with USD 66 million value of projects executed by QRC for the Syrian refugees. (end) nnd.bs