(London) – The United Arab Emirates has announced the provision of Dh 503 million, (US$ 137 million) during the country’s participation in the fourth Syria donors’ conference. The Supporting Syria and the Region conference took place in London, in the presence of heads of state and government, as well as heads and representatives of international humanitarian organizations.
Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Cooperation, President of the UAE’s Committee on Foreign Humanitarian Aid, led the UAE’s delegation to the conference.
Under the guidance of the UAE’s leadership, represented by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the UAE announces its renewed commitment pledging US$ 137 million as humanitarian aid, and in the hope that such assistance will ease the suffering for those who are victims of the Syrian conflict.
Sheikha Lubna said that with the Syrian crisis entering its fifth year, holding such conferences, whose direct results are seen every day, has become an absolute necessity in order to reduce the pain and preserve the human dignity of the Syrian people.
She added that the UAE has responded with the provision of humanitarian support and aid for those displaced inside Syria, as well as refugees in neighbouring countries.
UAE humanitarian aid to affected Syrians since 2012 has exceeded Dh 2.2 billion, the equivalent of US$ 600 million, which constitutes about 0.15% of the UAE’s gross national income. The value of UAE aid directed to Syrian refugees in the hosting countries and the neighbourhood to Syria amounted to Dh 2 billion.
Sheikha Lubna expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the ruler, government and people of Kuwait for hosting the three previous donor conferences, and for the pioneering role played by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait.
She also thanked the organisers of the fourth conference on the Syrian crisis, especially the UK, Kuwaiti, German and Norwegian governments, stressing the importance of united efforts and reinforcing need for strategic cooperation to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people in order provide a better life for them.
(Courtesy WAM)
