Bahrain’s support for Syrian refugees highlighted

TDT Manama

Bahrain has provided financial and in-kind support to Syrian refugees in a number of neighboring countries, following the high directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Foreign Ministry’s International Affairs undersecretary Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa has said.

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah reported this as he participated in the fourth Brussels Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region”, which was held virtually on Tuesday. He said that the Kingdom has implemented various projects through the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF).

These have aimed to assist Syrian refugees in the Zaatari camp in Jordan by constructing a housing complex that accommodates more than 3,000 people, along with developing a psychological counseling center and a number of wells in the Zarqa Governorate to provide Syrian refugees with potable water.

In addition to this, a scientific complex has been constructed that includes four schools to serve nearly 10,000 students. The projects were officially inaugurated by His Majesty the King’s Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs representative and RHF Board of Trustees chairman His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah also mentioned the building of the Kingdom of Bahrain School in the city of Irbid, Jordan, to serve about 741 students, and the establishment of prefabricated housing and health facilities in Al Azraq refugee camp, in addition to two children’s libraries in coordination with UNICEF.

Also at the conference, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah delivered a statement in which he expressed the Kingdom’s support for a political solution to the Syrian crisis, leading to a comprehensive and lasting settlement that ends the sufferings of Syrian brothers.

He stressed the importance of protecting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and preventing external interference in Syria’s affairs, in accordance with decisions to achieve reform and political pluralism, and on the basis of a UN Security Council resolution.

He pointed to the sufferings of the Syrian people in light of the current difficult conditions due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which threatens the life and health of tens of thousands of Syrian refugees living in humanitarian camps, stressing that a settlement to the conflict in Syria could only be achieved through full implementation of international resolutions, not military means.

The Foreign Ministry’s International Affairs undersecretary reiterated Bahrain’s keenness to support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to Syria, to enhance security and stability through the political process. He also called on the international community to provide various types of support and assistance to the Syrian refugees to alleviate their sufferings and ensure their security and safety, while working towards a comprehensive political solution capable of ending this tragedy and paving the way for a better future.