KUWAIT: Charge d’Affaires at the Lebanese Embassy in Kuwait Ahmad Arafa announced the launch of a donation campaign titled “Kuwait Seeks Your Well-being” to collect medicines and supplies for children and women in Lebanon. Organized in collaboration with the Lebanese community in Kuwait, the initiative is supported by the Lebanese Women’s Council and the Lebanese Business Council.

Speaking to the press, Arafa highlighted the campaign’s alignment with Kuwait’s long-standing supportive stance toward Lebanon. He praised Kuwait’s humanitarian efforts, including the relief air bridge that delivered significant aid to Lebanon, reflecting the historic and deeply rooted ties between the two nations. He expressed gratitude to Kuwaiti authorities for facilitating permissions to launch the campaign, scheduled for December 6-8, 2024 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at the embassy premises in the diplomatic enclave in Daiya.

Commenting on Lebanon’s response to Zionist aggression, Arafa revealed that since the 2006 conflict through October 8, 2023, 33,000 documented violations of Lebanese sovereignty by the Zionist entity have been recorded. “Each violation has been reported to the United Nations and the Security Council, with the Lebanese ministry of foreign affairs diligently maintaining this documentation. We hope for an imminent end to the war and a ceasefire. Lebanon remains committed to exhausting all avenues to assert and protect its sovereignty and the rights of its people,” he said.

Addressing reports about a potential ceasefire and reconstruction efforts, Arafa stressed that the immediate priority is achieving a ceasefire and fully implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701. This stance has been reiterated by Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib.

Arafa outlined that the collected donations would be transferred to Lebanon’s governmental emergency committee for distribution to hospitals, health centers and groups most affected by the aggression. He clarified that cash donations and medical supplies subsidized by Kuwait’s ministry of health will not be accepted.

Due to the embassy’s limited logistical and storage capacity, the campaign will focus on essential medicines that do not require special storage or transportation conditions. These items were selected in coordination with specialists based on a list provided by Lebanon’s ministry of public health. He further noted that Lebanon’s Cabinet has established a governmental emergency committee chaired by Minister of Environment Dr. Nasser Yassin.

The committee is tasked with overseeing the receipt, distribution and monitoring of aid to ensure transparency, with all related information published online. Arafa emphasized the importance of this humanitarian effort, stating: “While the aid reflects the generosity of its providers, it remains modest compared to the growing needs on the ground.” For additional details, Arafa directed individuals to the embassy’s official website.