Humanitarian assistance delivered to war-torn countries must help people adapt to climate change as well as provide for immediate basic needs, a Red Cross official has said.
Clare Dalton, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross mission in the UAE, said humanitarian organisations cannot simply hand out food parcels and think the job is done.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week on Wednesday, Ms Dalton said methods that worked 25 years ago were no longer fit for purpose, and humanitarian organisations had to think long term about climate change, even in times of urgent and immediate crisis.
“We just can’t hand out food parcels,” Ms Dalton told The National.
“Long-term planning needs to be part of the initial response.”
She added: “And we can't just provide diesel generators or do any other practices that over time might cause more damage to the environment or not necessarily help people adapt to the situation they face,” pointing to how solar power was now used where possible.
The issue came into sharp focus on Wednesday during Mena Climate Week, where a high-level panel discussed ways to deal with climate change in conflict-hit areas in the Middle East.
The ICRC has highlighted how a lack of governance and poor access to finance means tackling climate change is often far down the list of priorities in these areas.
An ICRC and Norwegian Red Cross report in May, for example, warned the combined effects of climate change and armed conflict were creating an alarming mix of humanitarian crises in the Middle East.
The report focused on Iraq, Syria and Yemen, and it called for climate finance for vulnerable communities to be increased.
The impact of conflict
According to the ICRC, 60 per cent of the 25 countries most vulnerable to climate change were also affected by conflict.
Even under normal circumstances, tackling climate issues is hard enough, never mind in a situation such as Gaza.
Ms Dalton urged parties there to follow international humanitarian law to protect civilians and critical civilian infrastructure, which can lead to better outcomes in terms of adapting to climate change.
“If you destroy essential infrastructure during a conflict – whether energy or water – the cost of putting that back together is enormous,” she said.
“If water infrastructure is damaged, for example, then it can have a knock-on impact on agriculture production. It is not just a financial cost but it is a cost on people's livelihoods.
“[But] if international humanitarian law is respected … the damage will be less.”
Cop28, the crucial climate talks that start in Dubai next month, will have a day dedicated to health, relief, recovery and peace, and Ms Dalton said this is an important move as humanitarian assistance, conflict and climate are all linked.
“People in the region live with this day-to-day reality,” she said.
“However, does that mean that people are all agreed on solutions? Not necessarily. Bringing fragility and conflict-affected countries on to the agenda is really important.”
Call for 'meaningful action'
As to what would be considered a good outcome for the ICRC at the climate summit, Ms Dalton said it would be beneficial to see some kind of “meaningful action” to support people in conflict-affected countries, from scaling up climate finance to ramping up adaptation, including encouraging the use of heat-tolerant crops or boosting water efficiency.
The ICRC, for example, has worked previously in Gaza in wastewater reuse and groundwater recharging to help stop the intrusion of salinity as well as programmes to support irrigation systems.
“We have to try … to help people in places affected by armed conflict mitigate or adapt to the impact of climate change,” she said.
“It is not easy. It is an existential crisis. However, the cost of inaction is higher.”
Middle East and North Africa Climate Week runs until Thursday in Riyadh.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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THE BIO
Mr Al Qassimi is 37 and lives in Dubai
He is a keen drummer and loves gardening
His favourite way to unwind is spending time with his two children and cooking
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Results
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard
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- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
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- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
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