Kuwait sends planeload of relief aid to Sudan
KRCS launches fundraiser for Sudan flood victims
KHARTOUM, Sept 12, (Agencies): A planeload of relief supplies dispatched by Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) on Saturday arrived in the Sudanese capital later in the day.
The cargo, 44 tons of humanitarian supplies, is destined for victims of recent flash floods that engulfed many swaths of the Sudanese territories.
In a statement to KUNA, the Kuwaiti Charge d’Affaires in Khartoum Abdul Karim Al-Mejaim said the planeload of relief materials was sent in according to instructions by the Kuwaiti political leadership to help the Sudanese brothers cope with the floods’ catastrophe -- an initiative that coincided with the sixth anniversary of the UN designation of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as Leader of Humanitarian Action and the State of Kuwait as Center for Humanitarian Action.
The plane carried food, medical supplies and materials used for sheltering.
Meanwhile, the deputy chairman of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society Mohammad Abdulhamid expressed gratitude for the State of Kuwait for standing alongside the Sudanese people in these dire circumstances.
For his part, Abdulrahman Al-Aoun, the KRCS Director General, said the aid was sent in according to directions by His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Sudanese authorities have declared a three-month state of emergency since September 5 when the nation was engulfed with torrential rain and large parts of the land were covered with raging waters caused by overflow of the Nile.
More than 557 people have been adversely affected with the catastrophe and 100 people have lost their lives. The raging waters have also inflicted wide-scale destruction in properties, particularly in rural areas.
Earlier, in a statement to KUNA, KRCS Chairman Dr Hilal Al-Sayer, said the plane included foodstuff, tents and water pumps, adding, number of other planes will also head to Sudan to help the fellow Arab country face the aftermath of the recent floods.
KRCS will coordinate with the Sudanese Red Crescent to distribute the aid urgently and to see the needs of affected people to provide them in the coming days, Al-Sayer said.
Al-Sayer expressed thanks and gratitude to Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in helping to deliver the aid to affected people.
Al-Sayer said KRCS has opened door for donating through its website, calling people and the private sector to necessary assist the people of Sudan.
Meanwhile, KRCS has launched a donations campaign for Sudan, to aid those affected by the floods that hit several areas in the country, the organisation’s head said on Wednesday.
The floods have damaged many homes and buildings and forced thousands to flee, KRCS SecretaryGeneral Maha Al-Barjas told KUNA on Wednesday.
Those affected are in need of shelter, food, water and medical care, urged Al-Barjas, adding that the society is currently preparing to send its first humanitarian aid shipment to Sudan.
She noted that people can donate by visiting KRCS’s headquarters or through the website.
Dr Al-Sayer, said in a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the relief aid comes as a continuation of the aid provided by Kuwait through the KRCS.
He indicated a number of aircraft will head for Sudan carrying aid to the brothers in the Sudan.
Al-Sayer added Kuwait’s aid is in response to the heavy rains which devastated Sudanese towns and properties. He said the KRCS in coordination with the Sudanese Red Crescent distributes this aid urgently and also gets firsthand information on the needs of the people in distress.
He thanked the Ministry of Defense for allowing the use of its planes and the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their contribution to the success of the humanitarian mission and called on the philanthropists and the private sector to provide urgent assistance to the brotherly Sudanese people to overcome this natural calamity.
Al-Sayer pointed out that the KRCS has opened the door for donations through the association’s website