PORT SUDAN: Kuwait’s Patients Helping Fund has provided medical and humanitarian services to more than 9.5 million people across Sudan during the first half of 2025, despite the ongoing conflict, according to Kuwait’s Ambassador to Sudan, Dr Fahad Al-Dhafeeri. Speaking on Wednesday, Al-Dhafeeri praised the fund’s continued efforts, calling it “the second-largest provider of medical services in Sudan after the Ministry of Health.” He said the organization, which has been operating in the country since 1985, “continues to deliver medical and health services through its specialized hospitals and health centers, in addition to its relief projects and reconstruction efforts in health institutions.”

The ambassador also highlighted Kuwait’s broader humanitarian support, noting that the Patients Helping Fund’s work complements a larger national relief effort. “So far, 36 aircraft and three ships have delivered thousands of tons of aid to the Sudanese people via the Kuwaiti air and sea bridges,” he said. These efforts, he added, are in line with the directives of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Dr Abdelmajeed Fadelallah, Executive Director of the Fund’s Sudan office, confirmed that operations have remained stable and even expanded during the first half of the year. “The fund’s interventions reached approximately 9.5 million people in various sectors,” he said.

Dr Abdelmajeed Fadelallah

Dr Fahad Al-Dhafeeri

He explained that services covered 11 states, including Khartoum, Nile River, Red Sea, Kassala, Gedaref, Jazirah, Sennar, North and South Kordofan and North Darfur. These included pediatric hospitals, primary healthcare centers, emergency relief, community development, capacity-building, and disease prevention programs.

Dr Fadelallah emphasized the fund’s focus on “improving healthcare quality, alleviating patient suffering, and rebuilding basic health infrastructure.” He said two major pediatric hospitals — Al-Muzaini in Kassala and Al-Obeid in North Kordofan — continue to operate despite the challenges posed by the war. The fund is also engaged in health institution reconstruction, mobile clinics, disease vector control, and the distribution of medicines and medical supplies.

It is implementing renewable energy projects to support water and health services and enhance infrastructure, in addition to offering training and capacity-building for healthcare workers. Dr Fadelallah extended his gratitude to the Kuwaiti government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kuwaiti Embassy in Sudan, as well as Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission, the federal Ministry of Health, and local authorities for their continued support. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait is experiencing cloudy and humid weather this week, with light to moderate winds and a slight chance of scattered, possibly thunderous rain, the country’s Meteorological Department said on Wednesday. Acting Director of the department Dhirar Al-Ali told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that weather maps indicate the country remains under the influence of the Indian monsoon low, which is pushing in hot and humid air masses — especially along coastal areas.

This coincides with a cooler upper-atmosphere low, creating conditions for cloud formation and occasional convective clouds that could bring limited rain. “The winds are mostly southeasterly to variable in direction, generally light to moderate but may become active at times, raising dust in exposed areas,” Al-Ali said. Looking ahead, Al-Ali added that from Friday through early next week, Kuwait’s weather will remain hot and relatively humid during the day, and hot to warm and humid at night. — KUNA

KUWAIT: As he prepares to conclude his five-year tenure, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Kuwait Laurens Westhoff shared his reflections on the evolving Dutch-Kuwaiti relationship, emphasizing strong political cooperation, energy partnerships and enduring hospitality.

“I arrived five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the first things I realized was how effectively the Kuwaiti government managed the crisis,” he said. “But for me as a diplomat, it came with challenges. I rely on face-to-face contact. And for the first year and a half, that wasn’t possible.” Despite the early difficulties, the ambassador described his time in Kuwait as “fantastic and fruitful,” highlighting decades of strong bilateral ties that were marked in 2024 with the celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

He explained: “We’ve worked to enhance every aspect of our relationship, including political dialogue both here and in the Netherlands,” adding that one of the key achievements during his tenure was initiating a new area of collaboration focused on energy transition. “We partnered with Kuwait University, KFAS, and KISR and connected them with Dutch experts to explore how a country so reliant on oil can diversify into solar and hydrogen energy. It was a meaningful step toward sustainable cooperation,” he said.

The ambassador praised the Kuwaiti people’s openness and warmth, describing it as one of the most memorable aspects of his experience. “Everywhere you go, you are met with open arms,” he said. “That genuine hospitality is something truly special and honestly, it spoils you. It’s a unique trait that shows Kuwaitis’ openness to dialogue and cooperation with others.”

He noted the similarities between Kuwait and the Netherlands as smaller countries surrounded by powerful neighbors, which strengthens their shared emphasis on diplomacy and mutual understanding. “We both know the value of dialogue and cooperation in maintaining regional and international relations. That common ground builds strong ties between us.”

Ambassador Westhoff highlighted that the Netherlands is the largest European investor in Kuwait, with direct investments totaling approximately KD 488 million.

“Dutch companies are active in oil-related industries, logistics, IT, agribusiness, and infrastructure including Kuwait’s airport project. We also hope to see more Dutch involvement in Kuwait’s domestic investment plans.”

In 2024, bilateral trade between the two nations reached €2.4 billion, with Dutch exports to Kuwait at €845 million, primarily in agricultural products, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and livestock. Imports, mainly crude oil, amounted to €1.6 billion.

He noted that the Netherlands see interest from Kuwaiti families in sectors such as health and education, though student numbers remain modest due to language and system differences.

On defense cooperation, the ambassador noted that the Kuwaiti Navy trains occasionally in the Netherlands, and there have been senior-level visits, including the Undersecretary of Defense visiting two years ago.

In terms of cultural and people-to-people exchange, approximately 14,000 Kuwaiti visitors travel to the Netherlands annually, a number that remains stable. “We know Kuwaitis enjoy our weather and appreciate what the Netherlands offers, from museums to heritage sites. It’s a convenient and enriching travel destination,” he said.

The ambassador emphasized the importance of continuing to capitalize on Kuwait’s new economic vision. “There’s a lot of potential with Kuwait’s current investment push. My successor will find fertile ground to strengthen Dutch-Kuwaiti business ties.”

He also spoke warmly of Kuwaiti traditions, particularly the concept of the diwaniya. “The diwaniya is a beautiful tradition. The open-door hospitality inspired me and my wife to consider introducing a version of it in our town in the Netherlands,” he said. The ambassador announced that his successor will arrive in early September. “He’s a career diplomat with experience in the region. He has Indian roots. Born in Suriname and raised in the Netherlands, he brings a diverse and international perspective. I’m confident he’ll continue strengthening our bilateral ties.”