Kuwait contributes USD 5 mln to UNHCR to help Syrian refugees

GENEVA, Jan 17 (KUNA) -- Kuwait delivered on Thursday USD five million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to cover costs of relief activities for Syrian refugees in Syria's neighboring countries.
Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said in a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the Kuwaiti financial contribution is of paramount importance for funding relief operations for the refugees in Lebanon and Jordan, particularly now amid harsh weather conditions.
The Kuwaiti donation will also help in coping with problems of the relocated Syrians in their country, particularly those in need for homes, Grandi added.
He expressed gratitude to Kuwait, namely His Highness the Amir, the government and people, for this generous support for the UNHCR programs that address the refugees' needs and issues.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Jamal Al-Ghuneim, Kuwait's Permanent Representative at the UN and International Organizations in Geneva, said in a statement to KUNA THAT the grant was in line with a pledge by Kuwait to "aid the Syrian brothers and sooth their hardships," particularly now amid the biting winter cold.
Hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees have taken up refuge in neighboring countries, namely Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. Many of them live in tents thus making this segment of the refugees quite vulnerable to the hard weather. (end) ta.rk