Kuwait official in Iraq: Corruption, weak security hinder reconstruction

Kuwait’s Consul General in Erbil, Dr. Omar Al-Kandari, said corruption and a lack of security are two of the major obstacles facing reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

The Kuwaiti Consul explained in an interview with Al-Khaleej Online news site that the Kuwaiti reconstruction projects in Iraq focus on the education sector by building and rehabilitating schools especially in cities affected by the war.

Al-Kandari added that Kuwait’s humanitarian work is part of the “Kuwait By Your Side” campaign launched by the Emir Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, which aims to alleviate the suffering of displaced people in cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

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He stressed that his country considers the campaign “a sacred humanitarian duty, to alleviate the suffering of Iraqi people”.

The State of Kuwait has been helping Iraqis rebuild their country following years of destruction caused by US invasions and the battle to eliminate Daesh from its territories.

In February 2018, Kuwait hosted the International Conference for Reconstruction of Iraq. The conference participants pledged $30 billion in international support to help rebuild Iraq after it defeated Daesh in 2017.