Kuwait

UNHCR has been present in Kuwait since 1991. In 1996, UNHCR and the Government of Kuwait signed a Cooperation and Office Agreement, empowering UNHCR in carrying out its activities. UNHCR has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the Government of Kuwait for more than 30 years, during which Kuwait has ranked as the top donor to UNHCR, with contributions exceeding USD$ 465.7 million.             

UNHCR conducts a range of protection activities in the country for forcibly displaced people, including refugee status determination (RSD), learning and development, and sharing expertise. UNHCR continues to pursue durable solutions such as complementary pathways for refugees.

The Government of Kuwait, and its developmental arm, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), provide significant support to UNHCR, including for the Iraq and Syria situations, as well as Yemen. There has also been an increase in engagement through the private sector, as well as through Islamic philanthropy.  

UNHCR works closely and cooperates with relevant ministries – such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior – non-governmental organizations and local charities. This support has provided UNHCR with solid infrastructure to organize joint local activities and sign grant agreements and memorandums of understanding, such as the memorandum of understanding signed with the Kuwait Fund for Development in 2014. In 2016, the Fund provided government funding focused on infrastructure in Iraq, Yemen, and Jordan, with the aim of providing long-term sustainable solutions for Syrian refugees in Iraq and Jordan, internally displaced people in Yemen, and host communities.

UNHCR's partnerships with the private sector have witnessed significant growth in Kuwait. UNHCR works closely with local NGOs to mobilize resources and launch joint fundraising campaigns that focus on supporting emergency situations, such as the Rohingya refugee crisis, the situation of Syria and Yemen, and other emergencies. Over the past year, UNHCR launched several public fundraising campaigns in collaboration with prominent partners in Kuwait, including the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Nouri Society, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, and the Tanmia Foundation.

Additional information

For information about our work in Kuwait: