Kuwait’s contribution to UNRWA exceeds $160 million: Envoy
AMMAN: Kuwait’s contribution for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) surpassed $160 in 40 years, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Jordan Aziz AlDihani said yesterday. Dihani was speaking to the press following a ceremony held by Jordan’s Parliamentary Palestine Committee to honor GCC states and extend gratitude for their contribution which enabled UNRWA to fill a large part of the budget deficit.
Dihani said this honoring in large is for Kuwait and Kuwaitis, namely leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah, the first supporter of the Palestinian cause, “from whom we receive supreme directives to support the Palestinian people and their cause at various Arab and international forums.” Kuwait allocated $2 million to support UNRWA’s budget and has contributed to this year by closing the Agency’s financial deficit through the $50 million contribution it announced during the Rome and New York conferences on UNRWA.
Meanwhile, attorney Yahya Al-Saud, who Palestine committee at Jordan’s parliament, hailed GCC and Kuwait’s stance in supporting the Jordanian Kingdom and Palestinian cause. He also praised Kuwait’s continuing support for Palestine, especially that it would host a conference of the Board of Trustees of the Al-Quds Fund and Endowment today, expressing appreciation for the Kuwaiti position in support of Jordan in its economic crisis. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have collectively provided $200 million in support to UNRWA for this year, reducing the accumulative budget deficit from $446 million to $21 million after the United States announced its decision to stop supporting the agency.