ABU DHABI // Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Cooperation, has highlighted UAE aid efforts and called for stronger partnerships and responses to humanitarian crises.
Her comments came during a meeting on Monday with European Union ambassadors to the country, to discuss strengthening cooperation in development and crisis response.
Sheikha Lubna said nations needed to devise a common strategy and develop an agreed set of goals to face challenges currently facing the global community, reported Wam, the state news agency.
She also highlighted the UAE’s provision of Dh1.64 billion in humanitarian aid to Yemen for infrastructure development, including redevelopment of the airport and the port of Aden, electricity stations, 11 hospitals and medical centres, and 123 schools.
Further plans include the development of 154 schools and other projects for Yemenis.
In Syria, the UAE had provided Dh2.2bn by the end of last year, including work in the joint UAE-Jordan refugee camp and hospital.
Aid efforts have also included the provision of food, medicine, water, education facilities and shelter aid for Syrian refugees.
Sheikha Lubna also highlighted projects in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Egypt and Somalia, and redevelopment in Gaza.
Patrizio Fondi, ambassador of the EU delegation to the UAE, said the meeting was an opportunity to learn details about UAE humanitarian aid.
The ambassadors of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the UK attended.
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