London, UK (KAAB TV) — In a significant step toward strengthening international humanitarian cooperation, the Kuwait Arab Economic Development Fund has signed two new development cooperation agreements with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). These agreements aim to provide critical emergency assistance to communities affected by ongoing conflicts in the Republic of Sudan and Somalia.
According to a statement released by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), both parties have committed a total of $10 million in aid under the terms of the agreement. Each side will contribute $5 million to support humanitarian operations implemented by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Sudan. The funding will enable UNICEF to continue delivering essential services in the areas of healthcare, nutrition, water and sanitation, and child protection—lifesaving support amid escalating humanitarian needs.
In addition, the two sides have pledged a further $5 million, equally shared at $2.5 million each, to fund a joint initiative with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Somalia. This grant will be used to assist in the restoration of essential services and infrastructure, addressing the acute needs of Somali communities that have long endured hardship due to protracted crises and poverty.
Walid Al-Bahar, Acting Representative of the Director General of the Kuwait Fund, highlighted the importance of these agreements as a testament to Kuwait’s ongoing commitment to promoting development, peace, and humanitarian relief worldwide.
“This partnership with the UK Foreign Office exemplifies how international collaboration can lead to more effective and unified support for vulnerable populations,” Al-Bahar stated. “It also underscores Kuwait’s prominent role on the global stage in advancing humanitarian causes.”
Mamadou Sow, Head of the ICRC’s Regional Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, praised the joint effort as a model of shared responsibility and moral leadership.
“This contribution goes beyond financial assistance,” Sow said. “It sends a strong message of solidarity to the people of Somalia, reaffirming our collective goal of restoring dignity and basic services to those who have suffered for too long under dire circumstances.”
These two agreements are part of a broader framework established in February 2020 between Kuwait and the UK, aimed at enhancing cooperation in the delivery of humanitarian aid. That foundational agreement laid the groundwork for coordinated efforts to assist refugees, displaced persons, and communities affected by natural disasters and armed conflict around the world.
As crises continue to unfold in various regions, such partnerships represent a vital mechanism for ensuring that timely and impactful assistance reaches those most in need.