The head of the UN refugee agency in the UAE has paid tribute to the country’s humanitarian relief efforts since its formation in 1971.
Toby Harward said that recent efforts to alleviate suffering in conflict-ravaged South Sudan and famine-hit Somalia proved the commitment of the UAE's global aid efforts.
The comments came in a wide-ranging interview with state news agency Wam and also touched on the turmoil in Syria, Yemen and Somalia.
Mr Harward pointed to the presence in Dubai of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees global stockpile warehouses as a clear example of the UAE’s assistance efforts. Established in 2003 at International Humanitarian City, they are the world’s largest and account for 50 per cent of the body’s global capacity, he said.
“The presence of the warehouses in a strategic city such as Dubai enables us to reach sea and airports, which facilitates our response to various crises and emergencies around the world in less than 72 hours. The warehouse contains essential relief items to help more than 200,000 people,” said Mr Harward, head of the UNHCR office in the UAE.
"In 2016 alone, 21 emergency shipments were sent from Dubai to Tanzania, Yemen, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and other countries," he added, noting that one of the most remarkable contributions so far this year was the provision of assistance to more than 100,000 refugees fleeing violence in South Sudan to Uganda.
Princess Haya financed a shipment of tents, blankets and mobile kitchens worth more than Dh1.5 million, while in May, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, loaned a Boeing 747B aircraft to fly aid to the region.
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Read more:
[ Ruler of Dubai loans plane for aid shipment to South Sudanese refugees ]
[ UAE telethon to help Somalian children facing starvation raises Dh165 million ]
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Mr Harward also praised the “For You Somalia” campaign launched by the President, Sheikh Khalifa, in April to give starving Somalis food, water and medicine and help them survive their third famine in 25 years.
Turning to the entrenched conflict in Syria, Mr Harward lauded the UAE initiative to take in 15,000 Syrians over five years and said it was the most important project they were working on with authorities here. The UAE is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and is not legally bound to accept refugees but separately still hosts about 250,000 Syrians, many of whom came after the conflict erupted in 2011.
“However,” he continued, “the huge scale of the Syrian displacement crisis requires new solutions to share responsibility and ease the burden on Syria’s neighbours.
“UNHCR leads on the subject of the return of refugees to their countries, in cooperation with other UN organisations and partners. When the time is right, we hope that the UAE will actively participate in supporting reconstruction of infrastructure and other associated development projects.”
Mr Harward also praised Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi for her support. Sheikha Jawaher, wife of Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, is the UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children and also chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation.
Mr Harward said that she has helped - on a personal level and through the foundation - about 800,000 refugees and internally displaced people through financial support to the tune of about US$22 million.
This year has been designated the Year of Giving by Sheikh Khalifa, and many humanitarian initiatives have been launched. One was the Humanitarian Accelerators programme, started by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in June. This initiative bids to help aid organisations and improve the flow of humanitarian aid through the use of new technology.
“The UNHCR is excited at the prospects offered by the Humanitarian Accelerators. Two of the four challenges to be addressed by the programme directly address key issues identified in last year’s UN General Assembly summit on refugees: the need to provide both education and livelihoods to refugees,” said Mr Harward.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Andor
Creator: Tony Gilroy
Stars: Diego Luna, Genevieve O'Reilly, Alex Ferns
Rating: 5/5
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Company Profile
Name: HyveGeo
Started: 2023
Founders: Abdulaziz bin Redha, Dr Samsurin Welch, Eva Morales and Dr Harjit Singh
Based: Cambridge and Dubai
Number of employees: 8
Industry: Sustainability & Environment
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Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
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FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
Roll of honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles
Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens
Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
SHALASH THE IRAQI
Author: Shalash
Translator: Luke Leafgren
Pages: 352
Publisher: And Other Stories
Scoreline
UAE 2-1 Saudi Arabia
UAE Mabkhout 21’, Khalil 59’
Saudi Al Abed (pen) 20’
Man of the match Ahmed Khalil (UAE)
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Fixtures
Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
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COMPANY PROFILE
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Started: 2018
Founder: Siddiq Farid and Musfique Ahmed
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech / PropTech
Initial investment: $650,000
Current number of staff: 35
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Various institutional investors and notable angel investors (500 MENA, Shurooq, Mada, Seedstar, Tricap)
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Company profile
Name: Purpl
Co-founders: Karl Naim, Wissam Ghorra, Jean-Marie Khoueir
Based: Hub71 in Abu Dhabi and Beirut
Started: 2021
Number of employees: 12
Sector: FinTech
Funding: $2 million
Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape
Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022
First match: November 20
Final 16 round: December 3 to 6
Quarter-finals: December 9 and 10
Semi-finals: December 13 and 14
Final: December 18
Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs
Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km
Price: Dh235,000
ROUTE TO TITLE
Round 1: Beat Leolia Jeanjean 6-1, 6-2
Round 2: Beat Naomi Osaka 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
Round 3: Beat Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2
Round 4: Beat Anastasia Potapova 6-0, 6-0
Quarter-final: Beat Marketa Vondrousova 6-0, 6-2
Semi-final: Beat Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-4
Final: Beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-2