Kuwait – The Kuwait Society for Relief (KSR), Sheikh Abdallah Al Nouri Charity Society, Al Oun Charity and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed today an agreement at the United Nations House to support emergency access to clean water for communities affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip with a total budget of USD $1.3 million. 

The agreement signed on behalf of the three philanthropic organizations by Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Society for Relief, establishes a joint framework to deliver emergency access to safe drinking water in Gaza through the installation of three solar-powered mobile water desalination units. The units are expected to serve approximately 180,000 people, including internally displaced persons in southern Gaza. 

Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Board of the Kuwait Society for Relief, said: “Today, we stand united with our partners to respond to one of the most urgent needs in the Gaza Strip: access to safe drinking water. This agreement is not merely a document; it is a promise to provide clean water to thousands of displaced families living under harsh conditions. We believe that access to water is a fundamental right to life, and through these advanced mobile units, we seek to alleviate suffering immediately, reaffirming that ‘Kuwait stands with you’ in word and in deed.” 

In the same context, Engineer Jamal Al-Nouri, Chairman of the Board of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Nouri Charity Society, said: ““We highly value this important humanitarian agreement, which reflects effective partnership between Kuwaiti charitable organizations and the United Nations Development Programme. This project responds to an urgent need in the Gaza Strip, where access to clean water is a vital lifeline for thousands of affected and displaced families, and demonstrates how sustainable initiatives can alleviate suffering and strengthen resilience under extremely challenging conditions.” 

 For his part, Dr. Abdullah Abdulrahman Al-Sumait, Director General of Al Oun Charity, said: “This project reaffirms Al Oun Charity’s commitment to standing with our people in Gaza by meeting their most urgent needs, foremost among them access to clean drinking water, which is the foundation of life. We value this partnership with Kuwaiti charitable organizations and the United Nations Development Programme, which reflects the spirit of cooperation and joint action in serving humanity. We remain committed to implementing sustainable humanitarian projects that alleviate suffering and strengthen the resilience of affected communities.” 

The project will be implemented by UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) and responds to the severe disruption of water services following extensive damage to Gaza’s water infrastructure. Powered primarily by renewable solar energy, the desalination units will provide a sustainable and rapid solution to meet urgent humanitarian needs. 

"By supporting access to safe drinking water in Gaza, we’re strengthening public health, restoring dignity, and improving community resilience. The provision of these solar-powered mobile water desalination units ensures that sustainable solutions are available to vulnerable communities, boosting early recovery efforts,” said Mr. Jaco Cilliers, Special Representative of the Administrator for the Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People. 

The initiative aligns with Gaza’s Relief and Early Recovery Plan and contributes to restoring essential basic services amid ongoing displacement and infrastructure damage. Beyond immediate water provision, the project includes site rehabilitation, operator training, and maintenance support to ensure operational continuity under challenging conditions. 

“This partnership reflects how UNDP works with Kuwait to rebuild essential systems, not just deliver aid. By supporting solutions that restore basic services, we are helping create the conditions for recovery in some of the most complex crisis settings,” said Ms. Emma Morley, UNDP Resident Representative in Kuwait. 

 The partnership reflects UNDP’s approach of working with Kuwait to connect immediate humanitarian response with longer-term recovery and development efforts. 

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For more information, please contact: 

UNDP Kuwait | Nayla Bissat | nayla.bissat@undp.org  

UNDP PAPP   | Musa Khalil  |  musa.khalil@undp.org