Kuwait: A Spirit of Giving That Transcends Borders
Kuwait joins the global community in celebrating World Humanitarian Day, observed annually on August 19, in solidarity with those affected by crises worldwide and to provide humanitarian assistance 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 impose consequences for violations.” The campaign aims to respect and protect civilians and humanitarian and medical personnel, and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.
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 City. It also honored the late Emir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may his soul rest in peace, by naming him the Humanitarian Leader.
Believing in the importance of humanitarian action, 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 generous contributions, becoming the largest donor to UNHCR at the regional and international levels over the past decade.
In late last month, the Council of Ministers approved a draft law decree on the issuance of a law regulating charitable and humanitarian work. The law aims to unify and organize charitable and humanitarian activities in the country within a modern legal framework that enhances governance and transparency, defines the roles of relevant entities, and institutionalizes operations in the charitable and humanitarian sector.
In May 2024, His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, affirmed Kuwait’s commitment to continuing its established approach of supporting global humanitarian action during his meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Guterres praised Kuwait’s pioneering initiatives in this field.
Kuwait provides numerous contributions to countries and regions affected by wars, disasters, and various crises through various government entities, public interest associations, and the private sector, including the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, the Patients’ Assistance Fund, and the Kuwait Red Crescent Society.
Over the past few months, the Kuwait Fund 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 on community projects.
On January 25, the Fund signed a grant agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) worth $5.2 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 of 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 to enable 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 585.53916 million dinars, with 138,328 donors participating, in a national display reflecting strong social cohesion and rapid response to humanitarian initiatives. (KUNA)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Kuwait’s appreciation for the vital role played by humanitarian organizations and the significant contributions made by humanitarian workers, highlighting their efforts to deliver aid to those in need, save lives, and alleviate the suffering of victims of conflicts and disasters across the globe, amid rising humanitarian needs and growing challenges facing humanitarian action.
In a statement on Wednesday, commemorating World Humanitarian Day, the Ministry paid tribute with deep respect and gratitude to the sacrifices of humanitarian workers, emphasizing the necessity of strengthening their protection, ensuring their security and safety, and enabling them to carry out their humanitarian duties safely. It also underscored the importance of guaranteeing the safe, rapid, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need, as well as the imperative to respect the provisions of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Kuwait reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to continuing its established approach of extending assistance to those in need and enhancing cooperation with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, driven by its firm dedication to humanitarian action.
Minister of Social Affairs, Labor, and Social Development Dr. Amal Al-Huwaili expressed Kuwait’s pride in its enduring efforts in the fields of humanitarian and charitable work, which stem from deep-rooted values inherited by the Kuwaiti people and have made giving and aiding the needy a consistent national practice.
Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Wednesday on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day, Al-Huwaili noted that the ministry has recently focused on developing and organizing the charitable sector, strengthening partnerships with government entities, charitable associations, civil society organizations, and volunteer groups.
She explained that the ministry is working to keep pace with developments and leverage digital transformation and modern technologies to regulate humanitarian work, enhance monitoring and follow-up mechanisms, and improve the management of aid and donations, thereby safeguarding this noble endeavor and enhancing its sustainability and impact.
Al-Huwaili expressed appreciation and gratitude to humanitarian workers and volunteers in the field, who dedicate themselves sincerely to serving humanity and preserving human dignity, emphasizing the importance of supporting, empowering, and protecting them so they can continue fulfilling their noble mission.
She stressed that Kuwait will remain present in the fields of charity and giving, upholding its legacy and entrenched values of solidarity and mutual support, noting that for Kuwait, humanitarian work is not merely an occasion for annual celebration but a national approach and a continuous mission.
