‘Kuwait keen on aiding injured Iraqi civilians’
Initiative under HH Amir’s instructions
IRBIL, Dec 1, (KUNA): Kuwait is keen on treating injured Iraqi civilians escaping from the ongoing military operations in Mosul, Kuwait’s General Consul to Irbil Omar Al-Kanderi said Thursday.
Kuwait is coordinating with local authorities in Mosul and private hospitals in the province to finance the treatment of the injured, Al-Kanderi told KUNA.
This generous initiative came under His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s instructions, said the diplomat.
Meanwhile, Mazen Ahmad, one of the wounded civilian, told KUNA that he got injured in a car explosion carried out by the so-called Islamic State (IS) militants, adding that he was taken to a private hospital in Irbil to receive treatment.
Ahmad pointed out that his expenses were paid by the State of Kuwait and expressed gratitude for this humanitarian initiative.
Moreover, the Nineveh governorate’s authority lauded Kuwait’s support to the injured Iraqis, saying that this gesture was expected from the fellow neighboring country.
It affirmed that Kuwait was among the first countries that rushed to help Iraq, underscoring Kuwait’s quick response to provide relief for affected civilians.
The Iraqi government and allies, supported by an international coalition, have launched an offensive for more than a month now to liberate Mosul.
During the battles in the region, Kuwait had supported humanitarian efforts for tens of thousands of displaced persons in Mosul.
Meanwhile, despite the declaration of the Iraqi security forces to free Mosul city, there are many obstacles stand in the way of the return of displaced people.
In Naineveh, Governor Nofal Hamadi Al-Sultan told KUNA that the security forces have been working day and night in order to clean up the liberated areas of mines, wastes and other residues of the ongoing battles with the so-called Islamic State (IS). Displaced people fleeing conflict are making dangerous journeys to reach safety. They face risks from direct and indirect fire, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices, he added.
As humanitarian actors gain access to recently retaken areas, the scope of needs in these communities after more than two years under the control of so-called Islamic State (IS) is becoming clearer.
In some areas, public infrastructure has been damaged, compromising the delivery of basic services, including health care, education, and water provision.
Markets have been disrupted affecting the capacity of families to buy food and essential items.
Kuwait had recently donated $8 million to support humanitarian efforts for tens of thousands of displaced persons in Mosul, as well as to contribute in keeping up the flow of humanitarian aid to these families, especially with the ongoing violence.