by Awra Al-Wugayan
KUWAIT, Aug 19 (KUNA) -- Although workers and activists in the realm of relief and humanitarian aid often put themselves in hard and tiring conditions, they share a common sense of deep gratification for relieving people in difficulty.
On the occasion of the forthcoming World Humanitarian Day, falling on August 19, the Kuwaiti traveller and humanitarian activist Yousef Al-Rashed said in an interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that many of his tourist trips turned into humanitarian missions particularly in impoverished regions in Africa.
It had dawned on him, he recalled, when he saw a group of barefeet children, barely covering their bodies with worn fabrics, rushed to him when he was eating mandarins, begging him to share the fruits.
Deeply touched, Al-Rashed within hours raised donations worth KD 5,000 (approx. USD 16,000) via Instagram and carried out a relief campaign for the impoverished children themed "children's delight." Al-Rashed said he had experienced deep sense of gratification that overtook his fatigue in the relief effort.
Mariam Al-Jarallah, founder of the volutanry team, "wanas," believes that it is the duty of peach person to dedicate some efforts and time to help out those in need.
She believes that securing education is the best form of humanitarian assistance for those deprived of means to go schools.
Anwar Al-Hasawi, the Deputy Chairman of Kuwait Red Crescent Society, said the society has carried out a long chain of humanitarian missions since its establishment in 1966.
The World Humanitarian Day falls this year amid ongoing efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), he said, noting volunteers' arduous tasks of reaching those in need for treatment or vaccination.
The State of Kuwait has granted abundant medical aid to low-incomed countries to face this scourge.
The annual occasion is an opportunity to boost awareness of humanitarian work globally and honor those who have given sacrifices for delivering humanitarian aid, he says. (end) aw.rk