Weekly roundup of Kuwait's regional, global humanitarian action

KUWAIT, May 5 (KUNA) -- The State of Kuwait went on offering humanitarian aid to people in need in a number of countries across the globe over the week.
Starting with Ankara, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) opened a multipurpose project for Syrian orphan refugees in Gaziantep city, south of Turkey.
During the project's opening ceremony, KRCS Chairman of the Board Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer said that the total cost of the project was around KD 42,000 (USD 142,000), indicating that 140 orphans will benefit from the various services provided by the 15 staff and administrators.
He said that the current project was part of various endeavors sponsored by KRCS and executed by Al-Sham orphan society and the Qatari Red Crescent Society.
Al-Sayer affirmed that the KRCS's efforts were an extension of Kuwait's unwavering supportive stance for Syrian refugees in Turkey and elsewhere in the region.
He and the KRCS delegation is scheduled to hold a meeting with members of the Qatar society later on to follow up on the situation of refugees fleeing from Eastern Ghouta.
The KRCS Chairman opened yesterday an orphanage for Syrian refugees in Hatay region in southern Turkey. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has expressed its gratitude for Kuwait's support, particularly the country's contributions towards the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, an endeavor the Palestinians have said will cost USD 7.8 billion.
The Palestinians appreciate the outpouring of aid Kuwait has provided through a fund worth USD 15 million, which will be allocated for the reconstruction of the Strip, PA Minister of Public Works Mufeed Al-Hasayneh said in a statement.
"Kuwait was one of the first countries to contribute to the reconstruction process in Gaza," he added.
International donors at a conference in Cairo in 2014 had pledged USD 5.4 billion to rebuild Gaza, with Kuwait contributing a share of USD 200 million. Furthermore, Kuwait Consul General in Irbil Dr. Omar Al-Kandari made an inspection tour of a relief project for the Syrian refugees in Kurdistan region, north Iraq.
The project, costing USD 10 million, is being implemented by Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) in collaboration with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Al-Kandari, accompanied by UNHCR Coordinator for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Monica Noro and Dahuk Deputy Governor Ismail Mohammad Ahmad, visited the project, located in Dohuk Governorate, to make sure of the orderly implementation of the various stages of the project.
Speaking to KUNA, Al-Kandari said the project aims to improve the living conditions of the Syrian refugees at camps in Dahuk and Irbil as well as other parts of Kurdistan.
"This project is part of the humanitarian initiative of the State of Kuwait aiming to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian refugees," he said, referring to Kuwait hosting of three international pledging conferences on Syria and co-hosting of a fourth one. He extolled His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the UN-recognized Humanitarian Leader, for spearheading the relief efforts inside and outside the Middle East.
On her part, Monica spoke highly of Kuwait's role in backing the efforts of the UN Refugee Agency and appreciated KFAED's generous donations for thousands of refugees in the region. Dahuk Deputy Governor thanked Kuwait for the assistance saying that Dahuk hosts more than 75,000 Syrian refugees. (end) hm