New York: The State of Kuwait has reaffirmed support to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) for the return of refugees to their homes or their settlement in many countries around the world, while asserting importance of protection of refugees.

Kuwait affirms importance of protecting UNHCR workers, some 25 percent of them work in hazardous locations, attache Rashed Al-Abhoul addressed UN General Assembly's third committee, Wednesday evening, discussing UNHCR report about refugees.

The relationship between Kuwait and the UNHCR, which celebrated this year 31st anniversary of foundation of its office in Kuwait, contributed to improvement of the UN agency's operations to help people suffering from armed conflicts or natural disasters in an indiscriminate fashion.

Al-Abhoul said around 100 million people, many of them from Arab countries, have fled to safe havens because of conflicts, violence, natural disasters, climate change or human rights abuse.

He meanwhile commended UNRWA for providing health care and education for over five million Palestinian refugees.

He also condemned the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories including the building of illegal settlements, stealing of Palestinian lands, destroying Palestinian houses and confiscating their properties in blatant breach of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

Al-Abhoul called on the international community to act to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian lands, as well as ending conflicts via dialogue and peaceful means.