Kuwait, a steadfast advocate, demonstrating unwavering humanitarian support.

In a world grappling with numerous crises, Kuwait stands out as a beacon of hope and generosity in the realm of global humanitarian aid. The small Gulf state has continued to provide significant financial and material support to relief operations worldwide, even as other major donors grapple with funding reductions.

The United Nations (UN) entity, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), has appealed for $45 billion to support over 300 million people needing life-saving aid in 2025. This appeal comes amidst a seismic contraction in global humanitarian action, a consequence of a sluggish economy in donor nations and a politicized humanitarian space.

Despite these challenges, Kuwait has remained steadfast in its commitment to humanitarian work. The 2025 edition of the Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) was held concurrently at the OCHA headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in Kuwait in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The launch event in Kuwait focused on 'Humanitarian Diplomacy', a testament to Kuwait's longstanding commitment to this field. The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, expressed his concern over the funding reductions by major donors, noting their impact on the ability of humanitarian agencies to perform their relief and life-saving activities.

As of mid-2025, less than 17% of the required funding has been received, leading to a funding shortfall that limits the scope of humanitarian action. Kuwait, however, has not shied away from its responsibilities. The state has provided financial support to global health crises like COVID-19, Ebola, AIDS, and Malaria, working in coordination with the World Health Organization.

Kuwait's humanitarian efforts have been recognised and appreciated by the international community. In 2014, the UN designated Kuwait as a Global Humanitarian Center and the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as a Humanitarian Leader.

In an effort to ensure alignment with international governance and transparency standards, Kuwait has implemented new regulations in its humanitarian sector. The country has also streamlined and provided a more structured framework to its humanitarian and charitable efforts, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most efficiently.

Kuwait's commitment to humanitarian diplomacy is aimed at mitigating the impacts of wars and conflicts. The state is a strong advocate for multilateral humanitarian action and partners with various UN entities and international organizations in responding to crises.

As the world grapples with the challenges of providing humanitarian aid, Kuwait continues to demonstrate its commitment to humanitarian work through ongoing initiatives that provide aid directly to afflicted populations. Humanitarianism is crucial for saving lives, reducing suffering, and promoting human dignity during crises, and Kuwait's efforts are a shining example of this principle in action.