Kuwait - IOM is marking the first anniversary of the recognition of the humanitarian leadership of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on 9 September 2014.

Under the leadership of His Highness the Amir, Kuwait has hosted three annual pledging conferences since 2013. As a result, billions of dollars have been raised in order to support the humanitarian response to the Syrian crisis, with the participation of 78 member states and 38 humanitarian organizations. In 2015 alone, donors at the Kuwait 3 conference pledged USD 3.8 billion.

In November 2014, IOM Director General William Lacy Swing awarded the IOM Humanitarian Medal to His Highness the Amir for his continuous efforts and generous contribution towards IOM’s humanitarian response to the ongoing crises in the region. Since 2013, Kuwait has donated US$ 20 million to IOM.

Speaking at the IOM Council Meeting in November 2014 Ambassador Swing noted: “For over three years, we have witnessed unfolding humanitarian crises in the Middle East – first in Syria, and now in Iraq. Families have been torn apart, communities ruined.”

“But in response to this chaos, we have witnessed remarkable acts of human kindness and generosity – most notably, the State of Kuwait's exemplary leadership in supporting humanitarian interventions under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah,” he added.

For further details, please contact Hassan Abdel Moneim Mostafa at IOM HQ, Tel: +4179 103 8712, Email: habdelmoneim@iom.int. Or Iman Ereiqat at IOM Kuwait, Tel: +965 (99) 40 79 96, Email: iereiqat@iom.int