UAE to provide accommodation and social care for Afghan families

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to ensure evacuees have 'safety and dignity' after ordeal

An Afghan boy is given food shortly after arriving at an accommodation centre in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Twitter/@AnwarGargash

An Emirati official welcomes Afghan evacuees to the UAE. Photo: Twitter/@AnwarGargash

Thousands of Afghan evacuees are being brought to the UAE. Photo: Instagram/@AnwarGargash

An Afghan girl is greeted by an Emirati official after a flight from Kabul. Instagram/@AnwarGargash

The UAE has begun to host Afghan families, especially women and children, and is committed to taking all necessary measures to provide them with care and social support while on UAE soil.

The initiative by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, is designed to extend safety and dignity to these families, the state news agency Wam reported.

The programme takes place against the backdrop of the UAE's provision of support and facilitation of flights for a number of nations and non-government organisations to safely evacuate their officials and support staff, including Afghan nationals, through the UAE airports.

The UAE has facilitated the evacuation of about 39,827 Afghans and foreign nationals from Afghanistan using its national aircraft and airports.

The humanitarian and relief efforts that were undertaken by the UAE in light of recent developments in Afghanistan embody the principles set forth by Sheikh Mohamed, which underpin global co-operation and solidarity in times of crisis, said Wam.

Afghanistan evacuation - in pictures

A US marine cradles an infant while waiting for the mother to return during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport. Reuters

Children playfully squirt a US Marine with water during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul. Reuters

US marines and Norwegian coalition forces provide security during an evacuation at Kabul's airport. Reuters

Afghans wait outside the foreign military-controlled part of the airport in Kabul, hoping to flee the country following the Taliban's military takeover of Afghanistan. AFP

British and Canadian soldiers stand guard near a canal as Afghans wait outside the foreign military-controlled part of the airport in Kabul. AFP

Taliban members check vehicles at the entrance to the Green Zone in Kabul. EPA

A Taliban check on a car entering the Green Zone, where most of the embassies are located. EPA

A Green Zone checkpoint manned by the Taliban. EPA

A boy carries Taliban flags to sell at the Karte Mamorin area of Kabul. AFP

US President Joe Biden speaks to his national security team during a briefing on Afghanistan at the White House. AFP

Taliban members stand guard at the main entrance to Kandahar International Airport. EPA

People gather outside the Pakistani embassy to obtain a visa after Taliban took over in Kabul. EPA