ABU DHABI // The UAE will provide an additional Dh113 million in humanitarian aid in support of Syrians displaced by their country’s ongoing civil war.
After signing three agreements with the United Nations World Food Programme on Wednesday, the UAE Ministry of International Cooperation and Development said this latest contribution will benefit almost 880,000 people both in Syria and outside of the country.
Erathrin Cousin, executive director of the World Food Programme, said the donation meant the programme could continue providing food to thousands of families.
“This contribution demonstrates once more the UAE’s commitment to saving lives in emergencies,” she said.
Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of the International Cooperation and Development, said the UAE was pleased to be able to support the WFP in its efforts to address the plight of Syrian refugees as well as those displaced inside Syria.
The three agreements include a Dh74 million contribution to provide food aid for 615,833 displaced people inside Syria, Dh22 million of critical nutrition aid for 240,000 children under the age of five at risk of malnutrition, as well as pregnant women and new mothers, and Dh5 million toward to ensure food security for 23,833 Syrian refugees in Jordan.
These funds are part of Dh220 million pledged by the UAE at a conference for Syria held in January in Kuwait.
With this latest contribution the UAE has provided a total of Dh683 million in humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees since 2012.
talsubaihi@thenational.ae
