ABU DHABI // The Ministry of International Cooperation and Development has announced the signing of a Dh 3.6 million agreement with the World Health Organisation to support its Syria Crisis Response 2014 initiative.
The one-year agreement specifies the provision of artificial limbs and assistive devices for people affected by the Syrian crisis.
According to statistics more than 750,000 men, women and children have suffered an injury that has resulted in the loss of an upper or lower limb or, in some cases, both.
“We hope this project opens the door for further collaboration in future, as we remain committed to providing assistance to those affected by the unfortunate conflict in Syria,” said Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development.
The contribution is expected to equip 700 patients in Syria with artificial limbs. The funds will also be used to repair artificial limbs for another 300 patients.
“When a crisis turns peoples’ lives upside down we count on the strong support of our partners and member states to alleviate the pain of people in need,” said Elizabeth Hoff, a representative of WHO in Syria. “This benevolent donation of the UAE will contribute to the provision of prosthetics to hundreds of Syrians directly affected by the conflict.”
Ms Hoff said that this contribution came at a time when funding was critically short for the health sector and humanitarian needs were sharply increasing.
The project includes a work plan with a time frame of activities and risk-management strategy.
The two partners will also be monitoring and evaluating the results to ensure the effectiveness of the project.
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