ShareKUWAIT: An estimated 305 million people around the world will require humanitarian assistance in the coming year, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Wednesday, launching the Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) for 2025. The appeal launched simultaneously in three locations – Kuwait City, Geneva and Nairobi – seeks $47 billion to provide life-saving aid in 32 countries and nine refugee-hosting regions. The event in Kuwait focused on strengthening diplomatic engagement to enhance responses to humanitarian crises.
“The Global Humanitarian Overview for 2025 shows the scale of the challenges and suffering facing the international community,” said Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait. “At the same time, it is an opportunity to advance international humanitarian action by strengthening cooperation between all parties involved in these noble efforts, including donor and recipient member states, and international and regional humanitarian organizations, to bring about real change on the ground and improve the mechanisms in place to deliver humanitarian and relief assistance to those in need.”
A core pillar
Sheikh Jarrah emphasized that humanitarian diplomacy is a core pillar of Kuwait’s foreign policy, reflecting the country’s commitment to alleviating suffering and supporting nations in crisis worldwide.
He noted that humanitarian aid is not just a duty, but a moral obligation for Kuwait, particularly in light of its membership in the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2024-2026.
Sheikh Jarrah stressed Kuwait’s unwavering determination to continue shouldering its responsibilities, working alongside regional and international partners to address humanitarian crises and mitigate suffering, particularly in conflict zones and areas affected by natural disasters.
“Humanitarian diplomacy has never been more critical. It mobilizes resources, amplifies the voices of the most vulnerable, and fosters dialogue to ensure aid reaches those in their darkest hour,” said Joyce Msuya, Assistant-Secretary-General and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator at OCHA.
She lamented worsening global crises, including climate-related disasters and armed conflicts which are driving mass displacements across the world. In response, the GHO for 2025 aims to unite 2,000 humanitarian partners to provide critical assistance to 190 million people.
Funding shortfalls
Despite donors’ longstanding generosity, funding shortfalls persist. Msyua noted that as of the end of November, only 43 percent of the $50 billion appeal for this year had been met. In a statement, OCHA outlined the stark consequences of this underfunding: “2024 saw an 80 percent reduction in food assistance in Syria; cuts to protection services in Myanmar; diminished water and sanitation aid in cholera-prone Yemen; and unimaginable humanitarian suffering in Gaza.” The statement also highlighted violation of international law as “the single most important barrier” for assisting people in armed conflicts. “2024 is already the deadliest year for humanitarian workers, surpassing last year’s death toll of 280. The vast majority of casualties are national aid workers,” said the statement.
Violations in Palestine
Sheikh Jarrah addressed the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon, caused by ongoing Zionist military actions. He stated that these violations have exacerbated suffering, with tens of thousands of casualties, predominantly women and children, and millions of displaced civilians. He called these actions clear violations of international law, humanitarian law, and UN Security Council resolutions.
Reaffirming Kuwait’s full solidarity with Palestine and Lebanon, Sheikh Jarrah urged the international community to intensify efforts to ensure the sustainable and safe delivery of humanitarian aid, while reinforcing accountability mechanisms for war crimes. He stressed the importance of holding perpetrators accountable and preventing them from escaping justice.
Msyua acknowledged Kuwait’s vital role in global humanitarian efforts, not only in funding but also through its influential humanitarian diplomacy. She expressed confidence in Kuwait’s ability to help ease the cost of conflict and natural disasters through diplomatic engagement.
