Lubna underlines need for stronger support for Yemen

Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development (Micad), Head of the UAE Committee for the Coordination of Humanitarian Foreign Aid, has underlined the need to strengthen the presence of international organisations in Yemen, and for a greater humanitarian role in order to provide maximum support for the Yemeni brothers.

During a meeting with Sir Alan Duncan, the UK government's special Envoy to Yemen, in Abu Dhabi on Monday, Minister Al Qasimi said that the UAE is ready to provide maximum support for international agencies seeking to lend a helping hand to the Yemeni people, such as the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and international NGOs, especially in safe and stable areas like the Governorate of Aden and the surrounding areas.

Sheikha Lubna emphasised the need for greater coordination among international organisations working in the Governorate of Aden and the surrounding areas, in order to deliver humanitarian aid to as many affected people as possible.

She said that thanks to the wise leadership of the UAE, the UAE humanitarian institutions are playing an active role in the Yemeni crisis in providing urgent aid and relief, such as medicine, food supplies, infrastructure repair, and restoration of power grid, fuel, and other relief efforts.

The minister explained that the overall support provided by the UAE for Yemen between 2010 and 2014 amounted to about Dh1.3 billion (US$353 million), mostly as part of development projects and humanitarian aid.

She said that the humanitarian support provided by the UAE to Yemen in 2015 has amounted to Dh760 million (US$207 million).

Sheikha Lubna praised the UK's efforts in response to humanitarian crises and in support of the efforts of the international community, which has helped those affected by conflicts and natural disasters.

For his part, Sir Duncan lauded the humanitarian efforts undertaken by the UAE at the international level, particularly in Yemen. He added that the UK seeks to strengthen cooperation among various international organisations to address the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

Duncan stressed his country's commitment to promoting bilateral partnership frameworks with the , and building new prospects of future cooperation.
Source: WAM