Jordanian Minister of Planning Dr. Ibrahim Saif and two United Nations officials lauded His Highness the Amir (of Kuwait) Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for being proclaimed by the UN as a "humanitarian leader".
His Highness the Amir earned this title for his long service for Kuwait, as well as due to the Gulf country's record of charitable activities, witnessed in various corners of the world, he said, referring to development schemes and humanitarian aid for brotherly and friendly nations.
Dr. Said, in remarks to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), noted His Highness the Amir's playing role of the architect of the two International Humanitarian Pledging Conferences for Syria, hosted by Kuwait in 2013 and 2014, and his pledges to earmark millions of dollars worth of aid to ease off the Syrian people's hardships.
The minister underscored Sheikh Sabah's initiatives for aiding Syrian refugees in Jordan, namely establishment of the makeshift "Kuwait Village" at Al-Zaatari camp. He also underscored in this respect Kuwait's funding of a series of development projects in Jordan.
At the political level, His Highness the Amir has taken initiatives aimed at achieving Arab-Arab consensus.
For his part, UN Relief Works Agency in the Near East Commissioner General Peter Ford said, "His Highness the Amir certainly deserves such honoring because he has been a distinctive supporter for the Palestinian refugees," noting His Highness' hastily pledges of support for the Palestinians during the 2008-2009 war on Gaza.
Meanwhile, Andrew Harper, UNHCR's Representative to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, affirmed that Kuwaiti support for the Syrian refugees, including, children, women and elderly, "has not only saved lives but has also restored hope for many who have lost all their possessions".
The State of Kuwait granted more than USD 210 million to the UNHCR over the past two years to help the Syrians.