AMMAN: Kuwait has been one of UNICEF's largest donors to help children affected by the Syria crisis as its contributions to the fund since 2013 has reached $144 million, the UN children's organization has said. "Generous contributions from the State of Kuwait have helped UNICEF expand its assistance to children affected by the crisis in Syria," Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a press statement Tuesday. Thanks to this funding, UNICEF will continue providing children inside Syria and refugee host countries with essential support for water, sanitation, hygiene, education, health and nutrition, he added. The current conflict in Syria that entered its seventh year continues to hit children the hardest inside Syria and in neighboring countries, where millions are living as refugees.

With Kuwait's backing, UNICEF and partners have reached 15.5 million people with essential humanitarian assistance this year in Syria, he said. The UNICEF official noted that nearly two million children were enrolled in formal education and nearly one million nursing and pregnant mothers were counselled on appropriate nutrition for their young children and babies. He indicated that between 2014 and 2017, UNICEF was able to rehabilitate water supply systems, provide water treatment disinfectants and water purification tablets. UNICEF praises Kuwait and its people for leveraging global support for children impacted by the crisis in Syria, he pointed out. UNICEF continues to depend on Kuwait and its people as a major donor for humanitarian and development aid for the world's most vulnerable children, he concluded. - KUNA