LOC13:04
10:04 GMT
KUWAIT, March 29 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's affirmative response to the UN in hosting aid-pledging talks for a third year backs the UN decision to name the gulf nation a Humanitarian Centre, believes the head of a local state charity.
This title, along with the title of Humanitarian Leader given to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, did not come easily, said Zakat House chief Ahmad Al-Saleh in a statement.
Both titles, handed out for the first time by UN chief Ban Ki-moon himself, were awarded thanks to His Highness the Amir's continuous and generous efforts which had a profound effect on supporting victims of many a conflict or natural hazard, he said.
"Kuwait has become a leading example in humanitarian and charitable work," he said. Throughout its history it has been synonymous with such endeavours.
Hospitality and generosity are two well-known traits of the Kuwaiti people, he said.
Since the start of the conflict in March, 2011, the Kuwaiti people have generously contributed many aid convoys to the cause carrying food and urgent supplies, he added.
He proclaimed His Highness the Amir "the number one supporter" of the Syrian people after hosting international humanitarian donor conferences for Syrian refugees in 2013, 2014 and as scheduled on March 31, 2015.
The two past events which hosted governments, international organisations, funds and NGO charity and humanitarian bodies raised a total USD 3.9 billion in aid pledges, including USD 1.5 billion and USD 2.4 billion respectively.
Among these pledges, Zakat House contributed KD 5.54 million (USD 18.5 million), directed at refugees in Lebanon (KD 2.110), Turkey (KD 320,000) and Jordan (KD 495,000), along with another KD 2.61 million (USD 8.7 million).
The Kuwaiti government and local charities donated a total of USD 800 million over Kuwait I and II, including USD 300 million and USD 500.
Kuwait III is set to host 78 countries and more than 40 international organizations. (end)
amn.sd