KUWAIT: Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi attends the virtual meeting. - KUNA

KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait renewed its solidarity and support to Lebanon and its people during their darkest times especially within the efforts recovering from the deadly explosion in Beirut Port, amidst Coronavirus, social and economic challenges. Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi delivered this statement during a virtual meeting chaired by Kuwait and UN Development Program on the response to Lebanon following Beirut's explosion. The discussion focused on the fallout of the explosion, giving a better view of what UN Development Program is doing to provide short-term relief for sustainable recovery, Otaibi said.

Following August fourth's tragic explosions, His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, issued immediate nationwide instructions to provide humanitarian aid and assistance to our brothers and sisters in Lebanon he added.

During the past month, Kuwait made major pledges with $30 million to support the reconstruction efforts in Lebanon, which were announced at the International Aid Conference to Support Lebanon, organized by France and the UN, through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development for food security, Otaibi added. Kuwait also provided $11 million of emergency medical and food aid in addition to other donations from Kuwaiti charities, he said.

Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS), since the instructions issued by His Highness the Deputy Amir and the Crown Prince, has been sending continuous aid, medical supplies and food aid to the Lebanese Red Cross via an air bridge in cooperation with government agencies, including the Kuwaiti foreign ministries, health and trade.

It also offered nearly 1,000 tons of humanitarian to support aid efforts in Lebanon, he confirmed. Otaibi urged the international community to continue supporting the Lebanese people during these difficult times. He also praised UN Development Program work, which had provided immediate relief since the day of the explosion aim of supporting recovery and development in Lebanon. - KUNA