NEW YORK, Nov 7 (KUNA) -- Kuwait stressed that addressing the plight of children affected by armed conflicts must go beyond immediate relief efforts to encompass a comprehensive and sustainable commitment to empowerment and protection.
It warned that the suffering of children in conflict zones has surpassed the limits of a humanitarian crisis and now poses a direct threat to the social fabric and future of affected communities.
This came in a statement delivered by Kuwaiti Diplomatic Attache Mariam Mansouri on Thursday, before the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which deals with social, humanitarian, and cultural issues, under the agenda item "Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child." Mansouri said that the world is marred by conflicts and crises that strip children of their right to a dignified life, adding that children in Gaza witness the most horrific scenes of violence daily, and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and Sudan, children face killing, forced recruitment, deprivation of education, and displacement.
She emphasized that this grim reality places a pressing moral and humanitarian responsibility upon the international community.
She highlighted Kuwait's longstanding humanitarian role in defending the rights of children in crisis areas through its consistent and principled humanitarian approach, and noted that Kuwait has become one of the largest donors to programs aimed at rehabilitating the lives of children in conflict zones, including initiatives supporting the education of more than two million children in such areas, as well as contributions to their health and psychological care in countries like Syria and Yemen, in close cooperation with relevant UN agencies.
Mansouri also expressed Kuwait's appreciation for the dedicated efforts of special rapporteurs and experts who continue to shed light on the harsh realities and grave challenges depriving children of their safety and innocence.
She concluded Kuwait's statement by reaffirming the country's steadfast commitment to continue working with the international community to strengthen the legal framework for protecting children in armed conflicts, calling for the adoption of a comprehensive strategy that ensures every child, wherever they may be, enjoys their right to a dignified life, education, care, and safety. (end) ast.dss