KUWAIT: Chairman of the Federation of cooperative societies Abdulwahab Al-Fares cooperative societies had a prominent role during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Fares said the brutal invasion was a humanitarian disaster in every sense of the word, pointing out that the Kuwait was able to overcome the difficulties with the determination of its people.
He added that during the "seven dark months", cooperative societies opened the doors of their warehouses to all residents in Kuwait and formed work teams to distribute food and supplies to them. Thanks to the high spirits and heroism of co-op employees, the associations were able to preserve food security, he said. Although the invasion carries many painful memories, Fares said it revealed the true essence of the men of Kuwait and its vital institutions.
At a time when the ordeal intensified and Kuwaitis were cut off from the outside world, cooperative societies opened their doors to save the country and its people from starvation, he said. The co-ops were also utilized as banks lending money to citizens to facilitate their livelihood, Fares added. Fares said cooperative societies were "the stronghold of resistance against this brutal invader” and from which the cries of liberation emerged. – KUNA