By Abdullah Al-Harbi
ABU DHABI, March 26 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah relentless humanitarian initiatives have placed Kuwait at the fore of donor countries as a staunch supporter of global humanitarian causes, a UAE official said.
His Highness the Amir's initiatives contributed to helping people in need around the world as well as spreading the culture of peace in many parts of the globe, Dr. Mohammad Al-Falahi, Secretary General of the Emirates Red Crescent, said.
Al-Falahi, speaking to KUNA ahead of an international donors' conference for the Syrian people, due in Kuwait on March 31, said Kuwait's humanitarian initiatives encouraged the UN to honor His Highness the Amir as a "Humanitarian Leader," and Kuwait as a "Humanitarian Center." His Highness the Amir deserves this honoring due to the size of humanitarian contributions he has made," said Al-Falahi.
The entire UAE people appreciate His Highness the Amir's humanitarian efforts, particularly in helping some 12.5 million needy Syrian people.
Kuwait is set to host the third International Pledging Conference for the Syrian people on March 31, after successfully hosting the first and second meetings in 2013 and 2014.
Al-Falahi, meanwhile, said the Emirates Red Crescent has acted to help the Syrian people soon after the conflict broke out in March 2011, providing aid, shelter, health and educational services.
He said the suffering of the Syrian people was deteriorating because of the increasing number of the internally displaced and refugees.
Emirates Red Crescent has also launched Tarahamo campaign to help the Syrians during the last Winter season and set up a camp for 10,000 people in Jordan.
The living conditions of the Syrian refugees are worsening, he said, which required doubling of international aid efforts.
Al-Falahi said NGOs in the Arabian Gulf countries were playing a major role in supporting the Syrian people.
Some 12.5 million Syrians have been displaced internally and across Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt, due to a conflict in their country that has entered its fifth year.
Kuwait hosted two events intending to raise funds from international donors aimed at alleviating their suffering in 2013 and 2014. These events helped raise pledges worth a total USD 3.9 billion - USD 1.5 billion and USD 2.4 billion respectively.
Kuwait donated a collective USD 800 million at both, including USD 300 million in the first and USD 500 million in the second. (end) asa.bs