Kuwaiti coops give to Syrian crisis amid social responsibility - chief

KUWAIT, March 29 (KUNA) -- The Kuwait Union for Cooperative Societies has contributed greatly to the Syrian crisis in the belief of its commitment to "rising to the challenge of its social responsibilities," its chief said on Sunday.
"A warm welcome to this respectable congregation, who meet for a noble cause and that is assisting the Syrian people in the ordeal they are living under," Ali Abdulhussain said before the third Kuwait-hosted global aid-pledging conference for the Syrian crisis.
Announcing the body's role on the crisis, he made the comments at a forum two days ahead of the event which will aim to raise pledges for millions of Syrians displaced internally and across neighbouring countries. "I would not be exaggerating if I were to say that Kuwait has not abandoned a single nation (in need) in the world. It has given all it can through its representatives across all nations." Additionally, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's huge contributions to humanitarian work has earned him the UN title of Humanitarian Leader, and his nation, Humanitarian Centre, he mentioned.
Abdulhussain said that the Syrian conflict, which began in March 2011 now entering its fifth year, has placed Kuwait with a "huge responsibility, which it has been able to fulfill thoroughly.
Explaining the importance of organizing donor talks for the Syrian people in precise, he said that the affair is an "extremely special case." As the number of refugees has reached 12.2 million internally and in neighbouring countries like Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan, making it the biggest refugee crisis in the world, he underlined that this represents "a human catastrophe." Kuwait pledged USD 800 million at two former rounds of talks it organized which raised pledges worth USD 3.9 billion.
KUCS contributed to these efforts through providing financial aid and organizing a number of charity campaigns.
"KUCS is a neutral body that does not intervene in political affairs at all, which works according to a humanitarian principle without discrimination or prejudice." Explaining the mechanism of the society's contributions, he said cheques are handed out to the locally-respected International Islamic Charity Organisation (IICO), headed by UN chief envoy Abdullah Al-Maatouq, which carries out the practical activities on the ground in Syria.
In the search of accurate information, the KUCS sent a group of employees to assess the needs of refugees directly in Lebanon. The group came back fully aware that these needs are grave and that conditions are "extremely terrible." It also organized a charity campaign in 21 coop societies across the country, managing to raise funds targetting education, mobile clinics and shelters, he said.
Amid its efforts it has also encouraged local companies to give to the cause, either through providing food or other essential goods. (end) kt.sd