(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Kuwaiti Ambassador to Armenia Bassam Al Qabandi Tuesday handed over the sum of USD 100,000 to Armenian authorities as relief aid to Syrians who have sought refuge in Armenia.
According to a statement issued by the Kuwaiti embassy here, the aid follows the initiative of HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
The ceremony to hand over the money took place under the supervision of the International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO), represented by Abdullah Al Maatouq, chairman of the IIO and adviser to the Amiri Diwan and the envoy of UN Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.
The ceremony took place at the Armenian Ministry of Diaspora in the presence of the Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan and Advisor to the Minister of Diaspora in the Armenian Communities of Syria Lena Halajian and other officials and the media.
The Armenian minister praised the role of Kuwaiti institutions and charity associations to support the large displaced Syrian community in Armenia.
She expressed her thanks to the HH Amir of Kuwait, the government and the people of Kuwait for their support.
Hakobyan noted that the aid money of USD 100,000 will be spent for the purchase of essential needs of food, clothing and medicine for 200 displaced Syrian families for a period of 3-4 months.
On his part, Al Qabandi underlined the proactive role of Kuwait to help the displaced people and refugees and noted that Kuwait will host a major international donor conference for Syria at the end of next January.
He stressed that this move confirms the significant and effective role by Kuwait in this humanitarian initiative announced by HH Amir of Kuwait at the summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council held in Bahrain earlier this week.
On her part, Lena Halajian thanked the IICO for the humanitarian aid for the displaced Syrians, noting that Kuwait is the first country that is providing assistance and help to ease the burden of the Syrian refugees in Armenia which shows Kuwait's keenness to reduce the suffering of refugees all over the world. Over 8000 Syrian refugees are now living in Armenia and their number is increasing by the day.
