In Kuwait, UNHCR's Iraq Representative sheds light on the growing humanitarian needs of Syrian refugees

The visit accentuates Kuwait's strategic partnership with UNHCR and its leading role in supporting the agency's humanitarian work, ensuring refugee and displaced people have the assistance they need around the globe.

The visit included meetings with Governmental bodies and UNHCR’s partners from the private and philanthropic sector. During which, Beauze met with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, represented by His Excellency Walid Al-Bahr, the Kuwait Fund's Deputy Director General for Operational Development, and discussed the latest developments related to infrastructure projects financed by the Fund in northern Iraq as well as the latest humanitarian situation of displaced persons in Yemen.

In Addition, Jean-Nicolas met with Kuwait’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development and International Cooperation H.E. Hamad Al Meshaan and discussed the support provided by the private and charitable sectors in Kuwait. Also, in a meeting with the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Organizations Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Jarallah, Beauze expressed his sincere appreciation for the contributions and support provided by Kuwait since the outbreak of the Syrian refugee crisis in 2011, enabling UNHCR to assist over 8 million refugees and internally displaced Syrians.

The visit also saw meetings with officials and representatives from Kuwait based charitable, humanitarian, and philanthropic associations, including the Kuwait Relief Society, the Kuwaiti Society for Humanitarian Endowment and Development, and the Direct Aid Society.

Upon concluding, Jean-Nicolas stated, “This visit aims to shed light on the field and humanitarian situation facing refugees and displaced persons, and to show how aid and donations have impacted their lives." He added "Our partnership with the government of Kuwait, along with the private and charitable sectors, is founded on the principles and values of humanity. Kuwait has always been a pioneer in aiding the most vulnerable. Its humanitarian role is necessary and essential to meet the developments and the enormous humanitarian needs around the world."

Kuwait has long been a strategic partner of UNHCR, supporting humanitarian efforts globally and providing support to UNHCR field operations in terms of protection and assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons, having provided approximately 435 million dollars in humanitarian aid, most of these funds went to Syria and Yemen.