WASHINGTON: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres hailed Kuwait’s role in supporting humanitarian work around the world. Guterres made the remarks during the annual charity dinner, hosted by Goodwill Ambassador of UNHCR and the Kuwait-America Foundation Sheikha Rima Al-Sabah late Friday.

Guterres expressed deep gratitude for Kuwait and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for the continuous support for UNHCR.He also thanked Sheikha Rima for her achievements and efforts in providing international financial aid to Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and other countries during her 20-year term as a Goodwill Ambassador.

The UN top official also applauded the role of the World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity in providing food for those affected by war and conflict in the Ukraine, Gaza Strip and other places around the world. On his part, UNCHR chief Filippo Grandi said that donors’ financial aid improves the lives of millions who fled their homes and countries due to wars and conflicts.

Former Kuwait Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah, his wife Goodwill Ambassador of UNHCR Sheikha Rima Al-Sabah and Kuwaiti Ambassador in Washington Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah

The refugee crisis is growing and had become a “global catastrophe”, with no less than 114 million refugees around the world, mainly women and children, said Grandi.Meanwhile, former Kuwait Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah said humanitarian work is among Kuwait’s top priorities, adding that Kuwait became one of the top UNHCR supporters in the past decade.

Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah presented WCK founder Jose Andres with an honorary award in appreciation of his humanitarian efforts, especially in Gaza, where the organization is providing thousands of meals daily to Palestinians. He also conveyed his deepest condolences over the death of seven WCK employees in Israeli occupation air raids last April in Gaza.

In the same context, Sheikha Rima Al-Sabah said she will continuously support UNHCR’s work around the world, noting that she had gathered over USD one million to support the organization this year.Taking serious measures to address the refugees’ crisis is a must, as the situation is deteriorating around the world, she noted.On his part, WCK president Andres condemned the Israeli occupation’s prevention of humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza and the attacks on field workers.

He said that no less than 200 humanitarian workers were killed by Israeli occupation attacks during the war on Gaza.Humanitarian workers support all war victims regardless of their religion or ethnicity, said Andres, adding that the WCK provides 250,000 meals daily in Gaza Strip.Speaking to KUNA at the event, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Washington Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah said Kuwait’s public and private sectors share strong relations with the UNHCR, as part of the country’s humanitarian efforts. — KUNA