LEBANON AID: KUWAIT OFFERS IN-KIND ASSISTANCE

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000833 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE PASS TO USAID, NEA/ARP FOR JACKSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EFIN EAID KU SUBJECT: LEBANON AID: KUWAIT OFFERS IN-KIND ASSISTANCE REF: KUWAIT 821 ¶1. (SBU) Yousef Al-Merag, Disaster Management Coordinator at the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS),confirmed to Econcouns on May 28 press reports announcing Kuwait's decision to send USD five million dollars in humanitarian supplies to Lebanon, upon the orders of the Amir. Al-Merag said a team was ready to travel to Lebanon immediately to meet with the Lebanese Red Crescent Society (LRCS) to discuss the best ways to allocate the aid. Al-Merag anticipated Kuwait's contribution would consist of food, blankets, and medical supplies. ¶2. (SBU) In addition to the humanitarian supplies, Al-Merag said KRCS had six ambulances waiting to be transported to Lebanon, plus another USD 100,000 in cash to be donated to the LRCS. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: the KRCS has been a consistent donor of humanitarian aid to Lebanon since last summer, dispatching more than thirty convoys of relief supplies through 2006. ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * LeBaron