By Hamad Al-Fahad
AMMAN, March 30 (KUNA) -- Two UN officials underlined importance of a conference for donors due in Kuwait on March 31, with the objective of helping millions of Syrian people who were either internally displaced or refugees in neighboring countries.
With the Syrian conflict in its fifth year now coupled with the increase of number of refugees to some four million, there is a dire need that regional countries provide more assistance for needy Syrians, said Andrew Harper, representative to of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in Jordan.
Harper said Kuwait has offered USD millions in direct support for the UN agencies, like UNHCR, "and without this support we would not have been able to provide shelter for women and children, nor the medical care or food." He added that "until the time has come for the safe return of refugees to Syria we will remain dependent on the countries that have shown commitment to help those in need.
"I can only express our deep gratitude for the State of Kuwait and its people," said Harper.
Sami Mushasha, spokesperson of the UN Palestinian relief agency (UNRWA), said the upcoming donors' conference, als known as Kuwait III, would play a key role in providing financial assistance for the Syrian people.
Backing UNRWA's services for the Palestinian refugees contributes to stability amidst security turmoil in the region, Mushasha told KUNA.
He said UNRWA received USD 15 million during the first and second donors' conference in Kuwait.
Mushasha thanked Kuwait "for active contributions to save the Palestinians stuck within the Syrian conflict.
Some 12.5 million Syrians have been displaced internally and across neighbouring countries like Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, Iraq and Egypt, due to the conflict in their country that has entered a fifth year.
Kuwait hosted two events in 2013 and 2014 which raised pledges worth a total USD 3.9 billion - USD 1.5 billion and USD 2.4 billion respectively - from international donors aimed at alleviating their suffering.
At both, Kuwait donated a collective USD 800 million, including USD 300 million and USD 500 million. (end) hmf.bs