UN agency praises UAE for support of refugees in Lebanon

Matthias Schmale, director of Lebanon affairs for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said the UAE’s aid was vital.

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ABU DHABI // The UAE has received praise from a UN official for its support of refugees in Lebanon.

Matthias Schmale, director of Lebanon affairs for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said the UAE’s aid was vital.

He was speaking during a meeting with Hamad Al Shamsi, UAE ambassador to Lebanon, and Katie Travers, head of the Donor Relations and Projects Office at the agency.

Mr Schmale said the UAE’s aid had eased pressure on the agency in the difficult circumstances it was going through, reported state news agency Wam.

Mr Al Shamsi said humanitarian issues were a top priority for the UAE as part of its aid programme, run in cooperation with UN organisations under the supervision of the Lebanese government.

He said the main goal was to deliver aid because a lack of social development remains the principal reason for the spread of extremism and terrorism.

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