(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday that the Government of Kuwait, one of WHO's largest donors to the Syria crisis, has contributed an additional USD 20 million to provide life-saving treatments to people impacted by the prolonged conflict inside Syria.
The new funding brings Kuwait's support to the war-affected Syrians in three years to USD 65 million.
"With civilians bearing the brunt of the mounting violence, this substantial funding will support WHO's effort to alleviate the suffering and reach more people in need with life-saving vaccine, medicines and equipment," said Elizabeth Hoff, WHO's Representative to Syria in a press release from the WHO headquarters in Geneva. "Kuwait has been playing a leading role in the Region, providing significant support to people in need in Syria and neighbouring countries." she added. The number of people affected by the conflict has reached 12.2 million, of whom 7.6 million are internally displaced. Health infrastructure has been severely damaged with over 56 percent of public hospitals and 48 percent of public health centres damaged or completely out of service.
Through Kuwait's generous donation in 2014, WHO was able to reach almost seven million Syrians with direct support, including life-saving medical treatments, cancer medicines, immunization services and clean water.
In March, the Amir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah hosted the third international humanitarian pledging conference for Syria at which donors pledged more than USD 3.8 billion, including USD 500 million from Kuwait. This fresh funding support, will enable WHO to scale up the provision of essential treatments and expand ongoing programmes to provide trauma and secondary health care services.
As the conflict continue to escalate, WHO Syria's 2015 funding gap stands at USD 99 million. To date, the Organization has received a total of USD 17 million for its operations inside the country, while an additional USD 23 million are pledged.
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