Kuwait city: Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has signed two grant agreements with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) totaling USD 5.7 million. This initiative is part of Kuwait's ongoing commitment to support humanitarian efforts in Sudan and Chad.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the signing ceremony was attended by notable figures including Minister of Foreign Affairs and KFAED Chairman Abdullah Al-Yahya, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, Acting Director General of KFAED Waleed Al-Bahar, and UNHCR Representative in Kuwait Naserine Rubaian. Al-Bahar stated that the first grant, valued at USD 3.2 million, is aimed at assisting Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad by providing sustainable shelter and essential services.
The second grant, amounting to USD 2.5 million, is directed towards improving education, water, and health conditions for displaced persons and host communities in eastern Sudan. This effort underscores Kuwait's dedication to reducing humanitarian suffering and enhancing living conditions on a regional and global scale. Al-Bahar highlighted that these contributions represent the eighth and ninth from the Fund to UNHCR, emphasizing a strategic partnership between the two entities.
UNHCR Representative Naserine Rubaian commented on the agreements, noting that they are focused on addressing the needs of Sudanese refugees in Chad and displaced individuals within Sudan. She remarked on the severity of the Sudan crisis as a pressing humanitarian emergency that necessitates ongoing support. Rubaian lauded Kuwait's enduring collaboration with UNHCR, pointing out that the Fund's total contributions to the agency have reached approximately USD 20 million, aiding humanitarian efforts in countries like Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, and Sudan. She expressed appreciation for Kuwait's sustained support and strategic humanitarian alliance.