ABU DHABI // The UAE is doing its utmost to help eradicate polio among Syrian children, said Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and chairman of the Red Crescent Authority.
He spoke out after sponsoring the immunisation of 1.6 million Syrian youngsters suffering from the disease, in cooperation with Unicef. The vaccination campaign is under way in Syria and other Middle East countries to protect more than 20 million children, reported state news agency Wam.
Sheikh Hamdan ordered the Red Crescent to speed up the implementation of the campaign in coordination with Unicef in Syria and neighbouring countries amid reports of polio cases.
He emphasised the UAE’s support for humanitarian issues, referring to the recent donation of Dh440 million by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to support international efforts to eradicate polio by 2018.
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