KUWAIT: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Fund Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya confirmed that there is active coordination between Kuwait and the Indian government, where he met with Kirti Vardhan Singh, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, to follow up and to facilitate the transfer of the remains of the victims of the massive fire at an apartment housing foreign workers in Mangaf.
He said on the sidelines of the celebration of "World Refugee Day” at the headquarters of the Kuwait Fund for Development that there is a collaboration with India on all fronts, in addition to ongoing meetings with the Ministers of Interior and Health. "Coordination is in place to use an Indian plane to transport the remains once the procedures are completed. Also, Kuwait Airlines is ready to help,” he added, affirming that the compensation for those affected will be announced soon.
Regarding those injured in the fire, he said that he went with the Minister of Health to check on them most of whom are in stable condition, revealing that only one died in the morning.
Regarding the Gaza crisis, the Minister expressed optimism, stating that it marks the beginning and end of the conflict. He added that the upcoming days will be promising for the Palestinian people, as the latest draft resolution, agreed upon by all parties, has reached its final stage.
Meanwhile, during the "Refugee Day” event, the minister affirmed Kuwait’s solidarity with refugees and its commitment to supporting them. He emphasized that the international community is dedicated to ensuring refugees receive protection, safe havens, and opportunities for a better future, adding "With great pride that my country, represented by the Kuwait Fund, and by many official and civil societies, is active in providing direct humanitarian to support millions of those affected by conflicts and natural disasters around the world, in addition, the effort put to improve the provision of decent livelihoods.”
"During the previous period, Kuwait provided humanitarian support amounting to about one billion and nine hundred million US dollars. Millions of individuals around the world benefited from this support, and the Kuwaiti Fund and UNHCR were able to improve the living conditions and cover the basic needs of more than 200,000 refugees in the north of the Republic of Iraq and develop health services for more than 100,000 refugees in Jordan,” he continued.
For her part, Nisreen Rubaian, UNHCR Representative in Kuwait, said that the Commission’s partnership with the Kuwait Fund for Development assisted more than 700,000 refugees and displaced persons in northern Iraq, Yemen, and Jordan, noting that it has resulted in diverse and pioneering humanitarian projects in the field of infrastructure, sustainable projects, shelter, road paving, solar lighting, water, sanitation, and health. "Over the past 12 years, we have seen annual increases in the total number of refugees and there is a danger of the world not being aware of it.
Year after year we are reaching numbers. A new record in forced displacement today reached 120 million people and it is time to support them more than ever,” she pointed out. Rubaian concluded "More than 30 years after the founding of our office, I repeat and say congratulations to Kuwait and its people. They are an example of humanity. Over the past years, the impact of the State of Kuwait’s support has reached millions around the world.”