NEW YORK: Kuwait reaffirmed its support for international efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts, alleviate human suffering and enhance global security and stability, a senior Kuwaiti diplomat said on Tuesday. Diplomatic Attaché Rashed Al-Abhoul of Kuwait’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations delivered these remarks during a UN General Assembly session focused on coordinating global humanitarian efforts.

Al-Abhoul expressed concern over the tripling of people in need of humanitarian assistance over the past five years, reaching nearly 40 million. He called for increased financing of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund to enable effective and coordinated delivery of humanitarian aid worldwide. He announced that Kuwait will host the launch of the Global Humanitarian Overview for 2025 in collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, underscoring Kuwait’s commitment to international humanitarian action.

Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon caused by the Zionist aggression, Al-Abhoul highlighted the country’s severe social and economic challenges and its status as the world’s largest host of refugees relative to its population. He cited Lebanese official figures, which report 1.3 million people affected by the recent Zionist escalation and over 900,000 internally displaced persons, including Lebanese and Syrians. Rebuilding efforts in Lebanon, he stressed, will pose significant challenges in the coming period.

Al-Abhoul also pointed to the widespread violation of international humanitarian law as a major obstacle to assisting and protecting those in conflict zones. He described 2024 as the deadliest year for humanitarian workers, noting that at least 330 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since Oct 7, 2023.

The Kuwaiti diplomat condemned the Zionist entity’s targeting of international humanitarians, schools, civilian facilities and humanitarian aid convoys in Gaza, calling for the immediate and unconditional opening of all humanitarian crossings in the Strip. He urged the UN Security Council to adopt a binding resolution under Chapter VII to impose an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, halt the Zionist entity’s genocide and forced displacement of Palestinians and ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to the region. Conflict prevention, Al-Abhoul emphasized, is essential to achieving sustainable global peace and security. — KUNA