On World Humanitarian Day: Kuwaiti efforts intensify to assist those affected worldwide
By Reem Al-Darawi (News Report) Kuwait City, August 19 (KUNA) -- Kuwait joined the global community today, Wednesday, in commemorating World Humanitarian Day (observed annually on August 19), standing in solidarity with those affected by crises worldwide and providing humanitarian aid to all in need.
This year’s campaign, led by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is guided by the central message: “The era of anxiety is over; it is time to enforce consequences for violations.” The campaign aims to respect and protect civilians and humanitarian and medical personnel, and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian relief to those in need.
Over the past decades, Kuwait has provided generous assistance to numerous countries under the guidance and support of its wise leadership, through its government entities and civil society institutions. It has also hosted dozens of conferences and events dedicated to reconstruction efforts and supporting communities.
In recognition of the efforts of the State of Kuwait, both government and people, in supporting and standing with the peoples of the world and alleviating their suffering, the United Nations honored Kuwait on September 9, 2014, by designating it as the Humanitarian Hub. It also honored the late Emir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God have mercy on him, by naming him the Humanitarian Leader.
Believing in the importance of humanitarian work, Kuwait has placed it at the forefront of its priorities through its continuous commitment to supporting the United Nations and its affiliated organizations, particularly the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Kuwait has made substantial contributions to the UNHCR, becoming its largest supporter at the regional and international levels over the past decade.
At the end of last month, the Council of Ministers approved a draft law decree issuing a law regulating charitable and humanitarian work. The legislation aims to unify and organize charitable and humanitarian activities in Kuwait within a modern legal framework that enhances governance and transparency, defines the roles of relevant entities, and institutionalizes work in the charitable and humanitarian sectors.
In May 2024, His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God protect him, affirmed Kuwait’s commitment to continuing its established approach of supporting global humanitarian work during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Guterres praised Kuwait’s pioneering initiatives in this field.
Kuwait provides numerous contributions to countries and regions suffering from wars, disasters, and various crises through various government entities, public benefit associations, and the private sector, including the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Kuwait Relief Society, the Kuwait Society for the Assistance of Patients, and the Kuwait Red Crescent Society.
Over the past few months, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding with various entities to provide diverse grants and assistance. These include a memorandum of understanding signed on January 20 for developmental cooperation with the United Nations to establish a framework for technical cooperation and bilateral work in community projects.
On January 25, the Fund signed a grant agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) worth $2.5 million to fund a polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Jordan. On June 22, it signed a grant agreement with the Islamic Development Bank worth $1 million to support the establishment, equipping, and operation of the Institute for Technical and Vocational Education in Yemen.
On July 21, the Fund signed a grant agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) worth $3 million to contribute to financing a project for enabling public services through solar energy in Lebanon.
On March 17, the Ministry of Justice concluded a campaign it launched to collect donations to settle the debts of indebted citizens. The campaign raised a total of 16.539.585 Kuwaiti dinars (approximately $54.45 million) from 138,328 donors, reflecting a national scene that demonstrates strong social cohesion and rapid response to humanitarian initiatives.
On February 10, 2026, the Kuwait Society for the Assistance of Patients, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), inaugurated a model health center to serve displaced persons from El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state in western Sudan, in response to the growing medical needs in the region.
On June 2, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense, dispatched a relief plane to Lebanon carrying 40 tons of various supplies, a move reflecting Kuwait’s role in supporting humanitarian conditions in sister and friendly nations.
On February 2, the Kuwait Relief Society, the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Nouri Charity Society, and the Direct Aid Society signed a cooperation agreement with the UNDP to support providing emergency access to clean drinking water for affected and displaced communities in the Gaza Strip.
On May 19, Al-Rahma Worldwide signed a grant agreement with the UNHCR to support Sudanese refugees in Chad by providing basic relief supplies to 428 refugee families through the Refugee Zakat Fund.
On July 31, Namma Charity Society launched a campaign targeting the implementation of sustainable water projects in six countries, benefiting more than 500,000 people through drilling wells and providing water in the most needy areas, including the Gaza Strip, Yemen, and Sudanese refugee camps in Chad.
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