Manama: The United Kingdom is to pledge $150 million (Dh550 million) to the Syrian aid efforts during the forthcoming third donors’ conference to take place in Kuwait next month.

“I announce that we will pledge a further $150 million, which brings our total commitment to well in excess of $1 billion,” British Minister of State for International Development Desmond Swayne told a press conference at the British embassy in Kuwait late on Tuesday.

“That is the largest amount that the United Kingdom has ever responded to any humanitarian emergency anywhere. But, we believe that it is proportionate to the problem, and I believe we should do so because of the lead that Kuwait has taken,” the British Minister said, quoted by Kuwait News Agency (Kuna).

Swayne, also a Member of Parliament, commended the “remarkable leadership” of Kuwait in stepping forward for an unprecedented third donors’ conference on March 31, reiterating the British support in that regard.

“It is a truly dreadful state of affairs, and I think it is right to show our support for the lead that Kuwait has taken in this issue,” he said.

“The suffering of the people in Syria is truly frightful. We have seen what is happening to refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Egypt, and the suffering of people in Syria with barrel bombs,” Swayne said.

“I think that best way is to lead by example, which what Kuwait has done. This is an act of leadership which challenges the rest of the world to live up to what they said they would do and to do more.”

The UK pledge is to be paid through a number of non-government organisations that are recognised by the British Government, in addition to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

“We have a number of mechanisms through which we make this payment, but, certainly, a very significant proportion will go through UN agencies,” he said.

The minister, responding to a question on the UK’s involvement in Kuwait’s national development plan, said: “We regard Kuwait as an important strategic partner. Our history of cooperating together goes back a long way. So, I think we will be looking for every opportunity, both for the private sector and for the government, to be involved in taking that agenda forward. So, certainly, the will is there.”

UK Ambassador to Kuwait Matthew Lodge highlighted a number of recent visits by senior British officials to Kuwait regarding the national development plan, including Foreign Minister Philip Hammond in October 2014, and Lord Mayor of the City of London Alderman Alan Yarrow in January, Kuna reported.

‘Close relationship’

“The relationship between Kuwait and the UK is a very close one. The embassy is very closely engaged in the national development plan and working at best government level, and through British commercial expertise, to help support that plan and make it go forward. So, we are involved,” he said.

Swayne mentioned his country’s support of the UN in attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2030 with a new set of sustainable development goals that could reduce and eradicate poverty.

He said that his country is proposing to lead a diplomatic effort in that regard with support from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

“Giving the increasing leadership that Gulf states have taken, particularly Kuwait, in international development and humanitarian affairs, they now speak with authority on these matters in the counsel of the world. So, I’ve come here to seek their support for that particular agenda,” Swayne said.