KUWAIT: As Kuwait marks the 35th anniversary of the Iraqi invasion, key national institutions are remembering the resilience and dedication of their staff during one of the country’s darkest chapters. The Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) reflected on its humanitarian response during the invasion, calling it a “unique model in crisis response.”
KRCS Secretary-General Dr Fahad Al-Mandeel told KUNA on Friday that despite extremely limited resources, the society continued to support Kuwaiti citizens thanks to backing from the political leadership and cooperation with Gulf and international humanitarian organizations. “The government’s support at home and abroad, and coordination with international and Gulf entities, allowed the society to carry on its mission under occupation,” he said.
KRCS temporarily relocated its headquarters to Bahrain, where it trained 250 volunteers to deliver aid to hospitals like Mubarak Al-Kabeer and to refugee camps in areas such as Al-Abdali. Volunteers also worked in bakeries, hospitals, and in transporting the wounded.
Al-Mandeel emphasized the courage shown by the society’s volunteers, who operated under surveillance, with limited communication, and despite the detention of some board members. “Our work during the invasion revealed unprecedented bravery,” he said. The society also documented human rights violations and helped relay the suffering of the Kuwaiti people to the international community through the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Reflecting on the invasion’s legacy, Al-Mandeel said the experience shaped Kuwait’s humanitarian sector. “The invasion marked a turning point in Kuwait’s relief efforts, strengthening volunteerism and creating a more effective response model that still defines our work today.” “What the society accomplished during that time remains a shining chapter in Kuwait’s history of dignity and humanitarian commitment,” he added.
Documenting violations
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Saturday that it played a crucial national role in protecting airport infrastructure and documenting violations committed during the occupation. “We recall with pain and sorrow those difficult moments our country endured, and the blatant assault on its sovereignty, security, and stability,” the DGCA said in a statement to KUNA.
The authority said its personnel took the initiative to preserve airport facilities and record the damages inflicted by the invading forces. “Employees of Civil Aviation documented the violations and crimes that targeted airport facilities, including the destruction of key buildings, equipment, and systems,” the statement read, noting that the evidence helped Kuwait later present undeniable proof of these attacks.
