UAE’S humane aid enriches our culture, says Sheikha Jawaher
‘If we let down those victims and fail to alleviate their suffering, their relationship with the world will be distorted and broken’
SHARJAH: Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation, TBHF, and Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, has reiterated to the Emirati community, on World Humanitarian Day, the importance of responding to global humanitarian needs with a higher intensity than ever before.
Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi said, “While the World Humanitarian Day, WHD, is a day to celebrate the global community’s achievements in the ield, it is more a reminder that there are millions of people out there who are caught up in severe circumstances and in dire need of our help and support. It is an occasion to relect on the fact that the lives of refugees, the disadvantaged and less fortunate people are quite literally dependent on the dedicated aid and support they receive from us. This dedication is what deines us and exempliies the essence of humanity. Values of generosity and sellessness bind human beings, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or location.
“The UAE is the world’s largest international donor in Oficial Development Assistance, ODA, to the Gross National Income, a testimony to the UAE’S culture steeped in the values of philanthropy and giving passed down to us by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder of the UAE, which have been reinforced by our leaders, citizens, as well as government and private entities.
VALUES
“The UAE’S engagement in global humanitarian aid has beneitted our community by enriching our culture, honing our social practices and highlighting our ethical commitment to humanitarian issues at both national and global levels. These values will embellish our cherished ethical heritage that will be passed from generation to another, a part of the UAE’S national identity our younger generation will proudly wear on their shoulders,” she added.
She called on governmental and nongovernmental organisations worldwide to create a fully-integrated and uniied approach to carrying out relief and humanitarian efforts, and broaden their reach to ensure the inclusion of all those who need humanitarian support.
“Conlicts are the main cause of violence in society and leave an indelible impact on people’s lives, but we should not forget other situations such as climate change, disruption of development plans and natural calamities, which continue to take a heavy toll on lives everywhere.”
A report by the United Nations Ofice for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UNOCHA, indicates that four countries are facing a credible risk of famine, namely: Somalia, South of Sudan, Yemen and Nigeria (North-east), and this year there are more than 136 million people in 26 countries who need urgent humanitarian assistance.
“The humanitarian support is growing, but we still need more organised efforts. If we let down those victims and fail to alleviate their suffering, their relationship with the world will be distorted and broken, and it will be extremely dificult for them to be reintegrated into their local communities and the international community in general,” Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi said in conclusion.
According to a staff reporter, Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of The Big Heart Foundation, says on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day: “As we commemorate World Humanitarian Day, we are proud to see the UAE lead humanitarian efforts around the world. These are based on the irm foundation established four decades ago by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a global igure in the promotion of philanthropy. Thanks to the guidance from our wise leadership, the UAE has maintained its ranking as the world’s largest international donor in Oficial Development Assistance (ODA) for the ifth consecutive year according to reports by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’S Development Assistance Committee.
“At TBHF, we are dedicated to following the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of TBHF, Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Today, we renew our vow to further strengthen our ongoing efforts to reach out with aid and support to more innocent civilians around the world caught up in conlict, natural calamities and other humanitarian crises.”
The UAE is the world’s largest international donor in Official Development Assistance, ODA, to the Gross National Income