Kuwait, and UK launch joint humanitarian initiative to support Sudan and Somalia

The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have signed two memoranda of understanding to provide emergency humanitarian aid to conflict-affected populations in Sudan and Somalia.

In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Sunday, the Fund announced that both sides will contribute a total of $10 million — with each side providing $5 million — in support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Sudan. The assistance aims to maintain access to essential healthcare, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, and child protection services in the war-torn country.

Additionally, the Kuwait Fund and the British Foreign Office will jointly allocate $5 million ($2.5 million from each party) toward a project supporting the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Somalia. The aid is aimed at helping restore vital services to marginalized communities.

Acting Director General of KFAED, Waleed Al-Bahar, emphasized that these agreements reflect Kuwait’s deep commitment to international humanitarian efforts and its goal to build effective global partnerships in development and peace-building. He noted that the collaboration with the UK enhances the exchange of expertise and consolidates Kuwait’s global humanitarian leadership.

Mamadou Sow, Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation for the GCC, praised the partnership, calling it a clear message of shared humanitarian responsibility. “This grant is more than just financial support; it embodies the joint commitment of Kuwait and the UK to serve communities in need, especially in regions long affected by instability,” he said.

The memoranda were signed by Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of KFAED, Abdullah Al-Yahya, and the UK’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, David Lammy.

These agreements are part of a broader cooperation framework established in February 2020 between KFAED and the UK’s former Department for International Development (DFID).

The framework promotes joint humanitarian responses to improve the living conditions of refugees, displaced persons, and communities impacted by natural disasters and conflict worldwide.