By Ghadeer Ghloum and KUNA
KUWAIT: World Refugee Day was marked by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday to affirm Kuwait’s relationship with UNHCR and showcase Kuwait’s part in providing humanitarian aid. The event was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Salem Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Deputy Commissioner Kelly Clements and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Sheikha Rima Al-Sabah, in addition to ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions serving in Kuwait and senior state officials. Sheikh Salem expressed his satisfaction and pride on the relationship between Kuwait and UNHCR under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
He emphasized Kuwait’s efforts in devoting all available resources for establishing international peace and security, saying cooperation between Kuwait and UNHCR go back 30 years. He mentioned Kuwait has donated more than $17 million in aid to UNHCR for Syria and Turkey to help deal with the repercussions of the earthquakes that struck recently, confirming Kuwait will always stand by the side of refugees. Clements expressed her gratitude and admiration for Kuwait’s concerns and dedication to address oppressed people’s issues. She said the world is witnessing a remarkable increase in the number of refugees that has never happened before, due to conflict in different places around the world such as Ukraine and Sudan.
"At the UN refugee agency, we aim to aid and protect as many people in need as we possibly can. More than 90 percent of our team are operating in different locations, some of them remote and some dangerous,” she said. She highlighted the main reason behind celebrating this day, saying it is meant to urge the world to come together and take action over refugees, describing it as a "global alarm bell” that demands attention to the desperate situations families are facing. She praised Kuwait’s generosity and dedication in supporting refugees. Kuwait Times spoke to US Deputy Chief of Mission in Kuwait James Holtsnider on this matter.
"When we talk about refugees, we talk about the work that UNHCR does, and the support that both the United States and Kuwait give to UNHCR. It is incredibly important now more than ever because we have the largest refugee challenge due to Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine, and we have similar problems around the world and in other countries such as Yemen, Syria and Somalia. So, it is great to see Kuwait stepping up, and it’s great to see US leadership on this issue as well. The United States partners very closely with UNHCR, but also with all our diplomatic partners to try and help people in need,” he said.
British Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Lewis told Kuwait Times: "I am delighted to be at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ reception this evening to celebrate World Refugee Day. The head of UNHCR in Kuwait Ms Nisreen Rubaian is very active and a very hard-working colleague. I am very proud to be able to support her work through UNHCR and other organizations that support refugees. With the recent ‘Homes for Ukraine’ initiative, the UK is showing again that there is a welcome, open and hospitable place for people who need somewhere safe to stay.”
Ambassador of Canada to Kuwait Aliya Mawani told Kuwait Times: "Canada takes this day very seriously, as Canada has a very strong tradition of welcoming refugees. Historically, we have welcomed millions of people over the years and they have become part of the fabric of our society. This is something that we are really proud of and we want to continue. We also recognize that welcoming people is the first step, as they need to be included; they need to have opportunities to build safe and secure lives. The theme of World Refugee Day this year is ‘Hope Away from Home’, because it is about how to give hope over the long term to refugees by including them.”
Ambassador of France Claire Le Flecher said: "Kuwait is very engaged in humanitarian support, particularly, the minister of foreign affairs and his wife. They are very supportive of this cause, and as ambassador of France, I am very happy to be here, because France is also very supportive of refugees all over the world and very willing to join efforts to support them.” Ambassador of Malta Prof Dr George A Said-Zammit said: "We have to take care of refugees not because of laws and agreements, but because they are human beings.”