UNHCR and Kuwait Charitable Society Union (KCSU) Convene a Roundtable on Humanitarian Response for Displacement Situations in Sudan and Bangladesh

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in collaboration with the Kuwait Charitable Society Union (KCSU), hosted today a roundtable discussion at the Social Reform Society (Namaa Charity). The roundtable shed light on the urgent humanitarian needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Sudanese refugees and internally displaced due to the ongoing crisis in Sudan.

The Union of Charities in Kuwait serves as the central coordinating body for the country’s charitable sector, encompassing over 70 registered charities and trust funds operating under its umbrella. Working closely with the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Union ensures that all humanitarian and development initiatives are aligned with national vision and regulation, transparency standards.

The roundtable, held under the theme “Partnerships for Humanity: Responding to displacement crises in Sudan and Bangladesh”, aimed to strengthen coordination among Kuwaiti charitable organisations, raise awareness about the challenges facing humanitarian workers in the field, and explore avenues for joint humanitarian efforts aligned with Kuwait’s longstanding commitment to international solidarity and relief.

Participants represented different sectors of society including officials from KCSU, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Social Affairs. With online contributions from UNHCR field operations in Sudan and Bangladesh, which provided firsthand updates on displacement trends, critical needs, and ongoing response efforts. The roundtable concluded with a collective call to action, urging Kuwaiti charities to participate in targeted humanitarian projects in collaboration with UNHCR, with a focus on priority areas such as shelter, education, healthcare, and winter assistance.

UNHCR's Representative to the State of Kuwait, Nisreen Rubaian, expressed her appreciation of the leading role of Kuwaiti charities stating: “Kuwait has long served as a symbol of compassion and leadership in humanitarian efforts. With over 117 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, collaborations, including those with KCSU, are vital to deliver life-saving aid to those mostly in need. The ongoing crisis in Sudan and the Rohingya Emergency in Bangladesh underscore the importance of maintaining robust humanitarian solidarity, particularly as global challenges intensify, and resources become increasingly scarce.”

From his side, Dr. Saad Al-Otaibi, President of the Kuwait Charitable Society Union (KCSU), emphasised the importance of unified national efforts in responding to international humanitarian emergencies, and stated: “Our collaboration with UNHCR reflects the shared humanitarian values that Kuwait has upheld for decades. Through our charitable institutions, Kuwait continues to demonstrate its belief in partnership, accountability, and compassion. We are determined to work together to support families affected by displacement in Sudan, Bangladesh, and elsewhere offering them dignity, stability, and hope.”

It is worth noting that Bangladesh hosts the largest refugee settlement in the world, most Rohingya refugees are living in 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar. Despite these challenges and restricted local resources, the Rohingya emergency remains 35% funded as of September 2025.

As for Sudan, it became the world’s largest displacement and protection emergency. Since April 2023, some 14 million people have been forced to flee their homes, of whom nearly 12 million remain displaced —7.3 million within Sudan and over 4.2 million across borders into the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and Uganda. This is not only a Sudanese crisis but a regional emergency with global repercussions. With all these challenges, Sudan situation remains 35% funded as of September 2025.

UNHCR remains dedicated to enhancing its partnership with Kuwaiti allies, highlighting that Kuwait’s support—via government, charitable, and private sectors—has significantly benefited thousands of refugee families throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.