Syrian Diplomat: 4 Million Displaced Persons Received Kuwait's Support During the Years of Crisis
- Ongoing Kuwaiti relief projects to support Syrians since 2013
- 3,500 Syrian families benefited from the “Bread Project” in northern Jordan
- The “Warm Winter” campaign provided heating and blankets to approximately 30,000 displaced persons in Lebanon
- 50 Syrian refugees underwent surgical procedures performed by Kuwaiti medical staff
- 1,200 Syrian families benefited from winter clothing and aid in 2022
- Two cargo planes carrying 8 tons of aid dispatched following the 2023 earthquake
Qutaiba Qadish, Director of the Department of Development and International Cooperation at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praised the significant humanitarian role played by the State of Kuwait and the Kuwait Red Crescent Society in supporting the Syrian people throughout the years of the crisis in his country. He emphasized that Kuwait has a history of benevolence and steadfast fraternal stances, manifested in various forms of humanitarian aid and assistance to Syria.
Speaking to KUNA agency on Monday during his visit to the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, Qadish stated that the Syrian people would never forget Kuwait’s humanitarian positions, which stood alongside millions of Syrians during periods of displacement and suffering. He noted that the number of displaced persons during the years of the crisis reached approximately 4 million, and that Kuwaiti aid remained present across various stages to meet their humanitarian and livelihood needs.
Qadish, who is leading a visiting Syrian delegation to Kuwait, added that the visit to the Red Crescent provided an opportunity to learn about the Society’s operations and to discuss Kuwait’s contributions to several humanitarian projects in the coming phase.
For his part, Khaled Al-Mughams, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Red Crescent, affirmed that the State of Kuwait, including its leadership, government, and people, has spared no effort since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in extending a hand of assistance and support to their Syrian brothers. He pointed out Kuwait’s hosting and chairing of donor conferences to support the humanitarian situation in Syria, as well as the financial humanitarian commitments related to that cause.
Al-Mughams stated that the Red Crescent has been present since the early years of the crisis through relief and humanitarian programs targeting refugees and displaced persons in Syria and neighboring countries. Since 2013, the Society’s efforts have included diverse projects such as the “Bread Project” in northern Jordan, which benefited approximately 3,500 Syrian families in one of its phases; the “Kuwait Stands with Displaced Families” campaign in 2015; and the “Warm Winter” campaign in 2016, which provided heating fuel and blankets to approximately 30,000 Syrian displaced persons in Lebanon. Additionally, food and supply aid was provided in Eastern Ghouta in 2018.
He added that the health sector formed a core pillar of the Society’s efforts. In 2020, the Society dispatched Kuwaiti doctors and medical staff to Jordan to perform surgical procedures for approximately 50 Syrian refugees. These efforts continued in 2022 with the dispatch of a medical and advisory team to conduct specialized surgeries, alongside distributing winter clothing to approximately 1,200 families and implementing a second phase of specialized surgical operations for Syrian refugees.
He clarified that following the devastating earthquake that struck northern Syria in 2023, the Society swiftly responded with an emergency operation that included dispatching two cargo planes carrying approximately 8 tons of emergency and medical supplies, providing food aid to approximately 1,000 families, and allocating $2 million to support relief efforts. This was complemented by a land convoy of 12 trucks loaded with tents and the distribution of complete shelter kits to approximately 600 families.
Al-Mughams noted that support continued in 2024 through the “Daily Bread” project in Lebanon. The year 2025 saw the dispatch of an emergency air bridge carrying tons of relief and food materials, while 2026 represents a continuation of this humanitarian journey.
He noted that the Syrian delegation’s visit offers an opportunity to enhance coordination and assess needs and priorities for the coming phase, emphasizing the Assembly’s readiness to continue supporting our Syrian brothers and sisters, in coordination with relevant authorities, and to translate Kuwait’s humanitarian approach into projects and programs that address existing needs.
