Kuwait's humanitarian initiatives lauded by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Kuwait's Unwavering Commitment to Humanitarian Aid
Kuwait's partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has spanned over three decades, making it one of the most significant contributors to global humanitarian aid efforts. This long-standing support has earned Kuwait the prestigious title of "Center for Humanitarian Action" by the UN in 2014 and the recognition of the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as a "Leader of Humanitarian Action."
The current Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has continued this pledge, engaging with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to expand humanitarian assistance worldwide. Guterres has praised Kuwait's role as "pioneering and exemplary" in humanitarian aid efforts.
Kuwait's humanitarian impact is felt through various government departments, charitable welfare societies, and key institutions such as the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS). The country's aid has reached crisis-affected regions including Gaza, Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, and others. Notably, Kuwait has provided ongoing support to UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) and active cooperation agreements and financial support to UNHCR and other UN agencies.
Recent humanitarian activities include launching multiple airlifts of food and emergency relief supplies to Gaza during conflicts, signing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Japan and the UK for development cooperation and emergency aid funding, and a grant agreement in 2025 between UNHCR and the Abdullah Al-Nouri Charity to support Syrian refugees in Jordan.
As of the end of 2024, the number of forcibly displaced persons worldwide has exceeded 123 million. The UNHCR official, Nisreen Rabian, has drawn attention to severe funding shortfalls that threaten the ability to respond to urgent needs. Despite this, Rabian expressed confidence in Kuwait's continued leadership as a trusted partner in global humanitarian action. She emphasized that Kuwait never sought the humanitarian title, but rather, it has been a natural outgrowth of the country's unwavering commitment to those in need, free from political agendas.
Future plans include visits by high-level UNHCR delegations to Kuwait and the launch of joint projects in the fields of protection, education, and development. Kuwait remains one of the largest donors to UNHCR, with total contributions exceeding $465.7 million.
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Key Points:
- Kuwait designated as "Center for Humanitarian Action" by UN in 2014, and late Amir named "Leader of Humanitarian Action."
- Continued pledges by Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and praise from UN Secretary-General Guterres.
- Key institutions involved: KFAED, KRCS, welfare societies.
- Main beneficiaries: Refugees and displaced persons in various regions.
- UN Cooperation: Major contributor to UNHCR, support to UNRWA, cooperation with UNICEF, UNDP, OCHA.
- Recent notable actions: Emergency airlifts, MoUs for development cooperation, $10 million aid to Sudan and Somalia, Syrian refugee support.
- UNHCR commends Kuwait for exceptional role in global relief efforts.
- Kuwait never sought the humanitarian title, but it has been a natural outgrowth of the country's unwavering commitment to those in need.
- Future plans include visits by high-level UNHCR delegations and the launch of joint projects in the fields of protection, education, and development.
- Despite the significant funding shortfalls, the UNHCR official, Nisreen Rabian, has expressed confidence in Kuwait's continued leadership as a trusted partner in global education-and-self-development initiatives for refugees and displaced persons.
- Kuwait's remarkable lifestyle of humanitarian aid has extended beyond three decades, with key institutions like the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) contributing to the general-news of ongoing support for crisis-affected regions like Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.
