UAE has offered Dh2.6 billion to Syrian refugees

An aid campaign carried out by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation in Tripoli.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,  said the world will on 19th August mark the World Humanitarian Day, "and we are also observing the event as a humanitarian capital and the world's largest donor of development assistance in proportion to its gross national income (GNI)."
"As we also mark this day, the refugee issue, namely refugees from Syria, remains the most pressing challenge. The UAE has so far offered Dh2.6 billion in support of them and will continue to do so," he said on his Twitter account.
"The UAE hosts the largest pool of international humanitarian and relief organisations ... we dedicated an integrated humanitarian city for them. Our humanitarian and relief organisations are operating in more than 70 countries," he added.
Shaikh Mohammed affirmed that the humanitarian work is a common language of mercy among human beings, a language that does not see race, religion or identity and this is what characterises a human being and makes any people a civilised one.

UAE means hope for 130 million people
The UAE is committed to protecting humanitarian workers and providing emergency relief to more than 130 million people affected by crises in over 40 countries.
Since its inception in 1971, the UAE has devoted itself to humanitarian efforts aimed at helping people around the globe, without regard to race, sex or colour, according to Minister of State for Tolerance Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi.
Marking World Humanitarian Day today, Shaikha Lubna noted that the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan himself was a "beacon" in humanitarian work, and his work has been continued by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
"The founder of the UAE and the builder of its modern renaissance and his fellow founding fathers were keen to make humanitarian work a cultural and an immortal value in the hearts of the people of the UAE," she said.
 
Committed to protecting humanitarian workers
Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said.
"In the UAE, we have over 20 humanitarian foundations, non-governmental organisations, charity establishments, government entities and private companies providing humanitarian assistance for those in need across the world," Al Hashemi said.
"In early December, the International Humanitarian City (IHC) will organise the first bi-annual World Humanitarian Forum in Dubai to coincide with the Ten Humanitarian International Leaders meeting . IHC has made the UAE a hub for logistics in emergency response."
 
'Global community is confident of UAE's role'
Dr Hanif Al Qasim, Chairman of the Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue, has hailed the UAE's contributions and achievements in the provision of humanitarian aid in various countries and regions, especially those witnessing natural catastrophes and armed conflicts.
He stressed the confidence of the global community and its operating organisations in the role played by the UAE to provide humanitarian assistance, food and medical care.
The remarks were made in a statement issued by the centre to condemn the crimes committed by armed groups that left behind disasters and human suffering, "which the international community fails to address".
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
(With inputs from Wam)