ShareBRUSSELS: Kuwait has reaffirmed its strong commitment to help Yemen on all humanitarian, development, political levels and stressed the importance of finding a political solution to the crisis. This was expressed by Kuwait's ambassador to the EU, NATO and Belgium, Jasem Al-Budaiwi, at the second Yemen Humanitarian Senior Officials Meeting hosted virtually by the European Commission Thursday evening. "My country will always remain faithful to its commitment, until our brothers in Yemen can overcome the suffering and enjoy security and stability," he told the meeting speaking via videoconference.
Budaiwi noted that during ministerial meeting on Yemen which Kuwait co-chaired along with the UK, Sweden, and Germany in September, Kuwait pledged $20 million in humanitarian aid. Since the conflict escalation in March 2015, Yemen is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world as described by the UN. Now, with COVID-19 spreading, Yemen is facing an emergency within an emergency, he stated.
Kuwait has welcomed all efforts led by Saudi Arabia to bring all parties in Yemen together to restore unity in Yemen. Implementation of the Riyadh agreement will represent a major step toward lasting peace not only for the people of Yemen, but also for regional stability, he said. He reiterated Kuwait's continued support for the United Nation led efforts to advance the political process.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our strong condemnation of the attacks and violations, as well as our strong support to Saudi Arabia and its right to defend its people and territories," he said. He recalled that Kuwait has repeatedly stressed the importance of finding a political solution as it is the only solution to the Yemeni crisis.
He underlined the importance of the following pillars for achieving a political solution in Yemen, the GCC Initiative , the outcomes of the National Dialogue, Security Council Resolution 2216 and the Stockholm Agreement. Budaiwi thanked the European Union and the government of Sweden for "giving the opportunity to participate in this important humanitarian meeting."
Rehabilitation
In other news, the Humanitarian Relief Society (HRS) concluded a vocational training program that helped build the technical capacities of 300 Yemeni youths, males and females, in five areas. The program, part of the 'Kuwait by your side' relief campaign, was meant to meet the needs of the local labor market, Undersecretary of the Yemeni Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training Moal Al-Sha'bi said at the graduation ceremony in southern city of Aden.
He thanked Kuwait and the HRS for their direct contributions to the economic development of Yemen through and building the Yemeni workforce and reducing the unemployment rate. He affirmed the Ministry's keenness on promoting private investment and encouraging the donor agencies to contribute to the youth empowerment initiatives.
Meanwhile, Aden Governor Mohammad Al-Meflahi said Kuwait's supportive role in Yemen is held in high esteem by the local authorities of Yemen as it helps alleviate the suffering of the citizens and improve their living conditions. HRS Deputy Director in Yemen Adel Ba'ishen said in the meantime that the HRS-funded projects focus on areas that have long-term impact on sustainable development.
The just-ended training project, sponsored by the Yemeni Altwasul for Human Development, benefited the trainees in the areas of computer and mobile phone hardware and software maintenance; electrical wiring; air conditioning and cooling systems; sewer connections; and entrepreneurship. - KUNA
