Kuwait, UNHCR unite for global aid

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KUWAIT CITY, May 22: Protection Officer at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Amal Al-Baidh has confirmed, on behalf of UNHCR Representative Nisreen Rabiean, that the UNHCR is keen on working closely with the Kuwaiti governmental and private agencies and institutions in various fields. In a statement on the sidelines of the workshop that UNHCR organized recently under the auspices of the Foreign Affairs Minister and with the theme, ‘Digital Marketing in the Service of Humanitarian Issues: Strategies for Successful Campaigns,’ Al-Baidhi asserted: “We look forward to strengthening partnership with the attendees in various projects of common interest; such as relief, shelter, food, water and sustainability, especially in protecting human dignity.” She said this cooperation is the continuation of the humanitarian journey of the State of Kuwait in line with the objectives of UNHCR.

She affirmed that the State of Kuwait, with its governmental and private sectors, have always been the first in terms of humanitarian response to all vulnerable peoples around the world. She added that in 2014, the United Nations granted the State of Kuwait the title, ‘International Center for Humanitarian Work’, and His Highness the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as the International Leader for Humanitarian Work. She pointed out that with conflicts and disasters on the rise over the past years, the latest estimates indicate that the number of refugees and forcibly displaced people has increased to approximately 110 million around the world.

She stated “the humanitarian situation in the Middle East is one of the largest crises at present, with more than 60 percent of forcibly displaced people around the world in our region and the vicinity of our region. The UNHCR calls for intensifying efforts to reach common solutions that provide assistance to these refugees.” On the other hand, Regional Head of Private Sector Partnerships for the Middle East and North Africa Nader Al-Naqeeb said the Kuwaiti society is a benevolent society. “We are proud to work with Kuwait, as evident in the titles it has obtained,” he asserted. He explained “the idea of our meeting is to frame this charitable work, as there are approximately 114 million displaced people around the world.

Their number was less than half of the current number 10 years ago. This only shows that crises are continuing. We are here to exchange experiences and cooperate with each other.” He pointed out that UNHCR is present in more than 132 countries with about 18,000 employees — 91 percent of whom work in the field and in disaster and conflict areas. “This has enabled the commission to help more than 60 million refugees rebuild their lives. It would not have been possible without the help of the public and private sectors,” he revealed.

He believes the workshop demonstrates the power of digital marketing in intensifying humanitarian efforts and the necessity of integrating modern tools into daily transactions to enhance the innovative strategies in order to communicate and interact with the target audience of donors and supporters more effectively. He added that through initiatives and conferences, UNHCR looks forward to supporting the refugees and develop ways of cooperation with partners in Kuwait towards distinctive ideas that serve humanitarian work to alleviate the burdens under which many of the most needy refugees and displaced persons are suffering; as well as shedding light and raising awareness on the needs of refugees and displaced persons and the challenges they face daily.

By Fares Al-Abdan
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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