Dubai is a hub for providing food, shelter to needy

(Wam) / 26 February 2013

As the United Nations continues to ramp up its aid operations for Syria, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday escorted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on a tour of the facilities at Dubai’s International Humanitarian City (IHC) where they discussed Syria and other ongoing humanitarian crises in the region.

More than half the aid now being provided to Syrian refugees and displaced people is being channelled through the IHC premises in Dubai. UN agencies such as the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) are already the largest users of the Dubai-based humanitarian logistics centre which has grown to become the biggest and busiest in the world. UNHCR alone stocks supplies to cover the needs of up to 700,000 refugees and maintains more than half of its global emergency stocks in Dubai.


As they toured the IHC premises, Shaikh Mohammed told the UN Secretary-General: “For a decade, we have put Dubai’s expertise as a transport hub to work for people struggling to get food and shelter for their families in times of crisis. With more than half the major humanitarian crises occurring in the Mena Region, the UAE and Dubai are honoured to facilitate the work of the largest of the UN’s five humanitarian depots along with Arab and international NGOs like the Red Crescent, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Foundation and Dubai Cares. We are delighted to have you here to see these facilities first hand.”
“The International Humanitarian City, with its offices and huge warehouse complex, is a striking example of how the international community can address global aid and development challenges more effectively by closely cooperating,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “I’m impressed with what I have seen and extremely grateful to Dubai and the United Arab Emirates for their generous support in helping the international community help those most in need. I share the passion of those who work at the International Humanitarian City to do the utmost to expand humanitarian efforts.”
Earlier, Shaikh Mohammed in a meeting with Ban Ki-moon highlighted the UAE’s policy regarding the right for decent living, resolution of the regional and international conflicts through dialogue and understanding far from the language of force and threat.
Shaikh Mohammed said that legitimate rights of the people to achieve justice should be in accordance with the international norms and laws enshrined in the UN convention.
Shaikh Mohammed said that the UAE supports the peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel, as well as the international efforts to help the Palestinians set up their independent state on their soil.
Shaikh Mohammed and Ban Ki-moon also reviewed the latest regional and international humanitarian issues and the role of the states, governments, organisations, governmental and non-governmental bodies in supporting people affected by disasters, displacement and hunger in the world.
Ban Ki-moon hailed the role of the UAE and its humanitarian organisations in helping the needy people, citing the humanitarian and charitable initiatives of the UAE leadership, which is always there to support needy people.
He praised Emirati woman’s empowerment programme and her participation in the comprehensive development programme. The UN secretary-general noted that the UAE is a role model when it comes to the woman empowerment in the region.
Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group and a number of senior officials were present on the occasion. —