By Salman Al-Mutairi KUWAIT, Aug 18 (KUNA) -- As the UN celebrates World Humanitarian Day on August 19, Kuwait marks the occasion by continuing to lend support to global humanitarian causes without showing signs of fatigue or tiredness. Since independence some 60 years ago, Kuwaitis were known and continue to be people of a highly generous nature, providing assistance to all suffering from natural or manmade disasters. This year's theme for World Humanitarian Day 2023 is the Human Race with the slogan "it takes a village" approved to display the necessity of cooperation amongst the people of the world. The celebration is held on the 20th anniversary of the attack against the UN headquarters in Baghdad in 2003 where several casualties occurred during this sorrowful event. Speaking on the global celebration, the Director General of the Direct Aid Society Dr. Abdullah Al-Sumait told KUNA that it was important to support humanitarian causes worldwide to provide a helping hand to those less fortunate. He noted that the Direct Aid Society had set up a humanitarian strategy to counter poverty, ignorance, and disease in impoverished societies and isolate regions in some 30 African countries and Yemen. He revealed that the society operated various programs in 745 African villages benefiting over three million individuals in accordance with statistics issues in 2017-23. Some 88,000 orphans, 18,000 development projects, 26,000 wells, and 6,303 mosques, in addition to 335 schools, four universities, and six hospitals were all under the supervision of the Direct Aid Society in Africa, Al-Sumait revealed in regards to the tremendous they play in the content. Similarly, Dr. Issa Al-Dhafiri -- Director General of the International Rahma (Mercy) Society -- indicated that since its establishment some 41 years ago, the society had made its mission to help all those in need worldwide. He revealed that the society provided a helping hand to 45 nations in Asia, Africa, and Europe as well as Arab countries through partnerships with regional and international entities. From building schools, Islamic centers, technical academies, and more, the society had provided 835 projects and programs in this regard, he added. Al-Dhafiri said that the society also dug and operated 166 wells in several countries, adding that such work was in line with the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also affirmed that the society had been recognized for its efforts earning 16 wards both locally and internationally. Also providing his input, the CEO of Namaa (development) charity, Saad Al-Otaibi said that World Humanitarian Day was an annual occasion to remember those in need. In regards to the work the charity was contributing, Al-Otaibi said that they had projects in 24 countries, revealing that in 2022, for example, the charity had provided assistance to 14 countries, building mosques, Islamic and Quran centers, wells, orphanages in addition to providing media assistance and surgeries. He said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Social Affairs had contributed to the charity's efforts, taking the chance to thank the state entities for their contributions. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Najat Charitable Society Rashid Al-Hamad affirmed that Kuwait had a leading role in humanitarian efforts worldwide. Since its establishment in 1978, the society had contributed projects benefiting over 10 million individuals globally. He said that 137,000 orphans were sponsored by the society in terms of their education, adding that over 35,000 wells were dug by the society throughout the world in addition to food programs aimed at battling hunger and thirst. Whether on the individualistic, institutional, or governmental levels, Kuwait had always been on the vanguard of humanitarian issues, said Al-Rashid, affirming that no creed, nationality, or color would prevent Al-Najat society from lending a helping hand. (end) slm.gta