Donor nations commit $10.3 bln

BRUSSELS, June 17, (Agencies): Kuwait’s Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations Abdulaziz Al-Jarallah said Thursday his country has spared no effort in supporting the Syrian people since the outbreak of Syria crisis. “The total volume of Kuwait’s humanitarian contributions to the humanitarian response in Syria amounted to USD 1.9 billion,” he said in a speech to the Seventh Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region. “In addition, the State of Kuwait contributed USD 100 million to the UN humanitarian appeals following the devastating earthquakes in Syria and Turkiye in February,” he said noting that the funds were channeled to various aid agencies.

Al-Jarallah appreciated the EU for hosting this annual chain of conference in support for Syria and neighboring countries, saying that such conference fall in the framework of the international relief efforts meant to alleviate the suffering of “the brotherly people of Syria.” The international humanitarian response followed Kuwait’s initiative for hosting the first Pledging Conference for Syria in January 2013, the senior diplomat recalled. The efforts of the international culminated in the UN Security Council adopting unanimously Resolution 2254 in 2015, which endorsed a roadmap for a Syrian-led peace process, he went on.

However, Al-Jarallah expressed regret over UN reports of continued horrible suffering in Syria 13 years after the breakout of the crisis, citing a report in March that over 15.3 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Reports of severe shortage in food and dire need to rehabilitate the health system in Syria, as well as acute social, economic and security problems in Syrian refugee-hosting countries stress the need of doubling efforts by the international community to improve the humanitarian situation, he pointed out. The senior diplomat reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to shouldering its moral and humanitarian responsibilities and contributing to the relief efforts for the Syrian people.

“The State of Kuwait, as a non-permanent member in the United Nations Security Council (2018-2019), co-sponsored with the Kingdom of Sweden the UNSC draft resolution 2401 on cessation of hostilities in Syria for 30 days to allow delivery of assistance to needy people as well as the UNSC 2449 on trans-border humanitarian corridors to Syria,” he added. Concluding, Al-Jarallah thanked the UN and the UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen for their efforts to address the crisis, voicing hope that the ongoing Brussels Conference would open up a bright future for the Syrian people and the entire region.

International donors said Thursday they would commit $10.3 billion in aid for millions of Syrians battered by war, poverty, and hunger, both at home and as refugees abroad. The pledges by 57 nations and 30 international organizations at an annual European Union-hosted conference in Brussels for Syria fell about $800 million short of a United Nations humanitarian appeal. “This is a tangible demonstration that the international community stands by the Syrian people,” said EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Janez Lenarcic, who closed out the day-long meeting at the headquarters of the 27-nation bloc.