RCO attends conference on supporting Syrian people

Helsinki, Jan. 30 (BNA): A delegation from the Royal Charity Organisation (RCO) headed by Secretary-General Mostafa Al Sayyed has participated in the International Conference on Supporting Syrians and the Region. The participation is in conformity with the directives of HM the King's Representative for Charity and Youth Affairs, RCO Board Chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and in coordination with the Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Khalifa. Finland's Prime Minister Juha Sipila patronized the conference in Helsinki in the presence and participation of senior officials from the Gulf region and the world, representatives from the United Nations agencies, international financial institutions, donors and non-governmental organizations and the private sector. The conference reviewed the impact of humanitarian disaster and damage inflicted on Syria due to the war that broke out six years ago and caused the displacement of six million Syrian citizens abroad and another 6 million inside the country, injuring thousands and destroying the infrastructure. The conference also focused on plans for urgent humanitarian needs and challenges and strategies for the Syrian crisis. It discussed issues related to humanitarian, funding, education and protecting women, children and the youth. It highlighted the need for supporting the Syrian people and the enormous pressures suffered by the neighboring countries due to shouldering the burden of hosting millions of refugees. Al Sayyed, in his speech, conveyed greetings of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad and the Foreign Affairs Minister to Finnish officials, the UN representatives and participants. He pointed out Bahrain's humanitarian initiatives to alleviate the suffering of Syrian people in line with HM the King's directives and support of the government and people. The participants commended Bahrain's political, diplomatic standing and its humanitarian initiatives. On the sidelines of the conference, Al Sayye met former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O'Brien, UNRWA Commissioner-General, Pierre Kraehenbuehl, and discussed Bahrain's life-saving assistance to Syrian people and humanitarian efforts to assist various countries of the world.