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IFRC, UAE-RC sign pact to enhance services worldwide

ABU DHABI - The UAE Red Crescent (UAE-RC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) on Saturday signed an agreement to work in close collaboration in regards to the Federation logistics centres in the UAE.

Under the agreement, the IFRC agreed to use warehouse complex and facilities in Dubai Port Authority for its worldwide vehicle fleet management and leasing programme, with a possible extension to further logistics activities in the future.

Articles of the agreement, also stated that the the IFRC intends to install its vehicle fleet-base offices in the warehouse premises currently held by the first part at Dubai port as from June 2004.

The UAE-RC, agreed to undertake works for office installation and any other necessary equipment including telecommunication and other services in order to provide the IFRC with a functional office.

As per the pact the one-year renewable pact, negotiations are underway in regards to sharing premises in Dubai Aid City and expanding the IFRC current fleet-base into a logistic base.

Meanwhile, the IFRC on Saturday also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai Aid City (DAC) and the UAE-RC, to facilitate setting up of facilities at DAC for enhancing humanitarian services to different parts of the world.

The MoU, has a term of one year. It will then be replaced with an agreement between the three parties on warehousing/office specifications, services provided and cost; unless subsequent agreements cannot be reached.

Voicing his comments on the multilateral agreement Khalifa Nasir Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the UAE-RC said such pact will enhance humanitarian operations around the world, taking into account the UAE geo-strategic location.

Markku Niskala, Secretary-General of the IFRC underlined that with the strategic location of the UAE, the agrement would beef up the Federation efforts, in considering the 'time zone' especially in handling emergency cases.

For her part, Barbra Castek, Head of DAC said the MoU aims at bringing together in one spot all humanitarian organisaions, so as to carry out humanitarian operations in more efficient way, noting that 80 per cent of the world crisis areas have easy access from Dubai.