ERC projects in Afghanistan worth over Dhs320 million
This aid includes development projects, seasonal programmes and other aid worth over Dhs242 million that helped over 5 million people
The value of humanitarian, relief and development projects carried out by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) in Afghanistan over the past decades totals more than Dhs320 million, and has benefited over 8 million people.
This aid includes development projects, seasonal programmes and other aid worth over Dhs242 million that helped over 5 million people, while the ERC’S relief aid exceeded Dhs71 million in value and benefited over 3 million people, in addition to AED7 million for orphans, assisting over 40,000 children.
Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, ERC Secretary-general, said the ERC’S humanitarian and development projects in Afghanistan reflect its international message, upon the directives of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the ERC, to ease human suffering and protect human dignity.
The UAE’S leadership has supported development initiatives in Afghanistan, he added, noting that the UAE has supported the Afghan people over many decades.
Al Falahi stressed that the UAE’S rapid response to the current situation in Afghanistan underscores its pivotal role in addressing emergency situations and events, both regionally and globally.
The ERC has been present in Afghanistan for several decades, providing comprehensive support to the Afghan people, he added, while highlighting the ERC’S projects covering infrastructure maintenance, the construction of health and educational facilities, residential cities and orphanages, and the maintenance of public facilities, in addition to its other humanitarian and relief programmes.
“Under this framework, the Sheikh Zayed City in Kabul is one these vital projects, which aims to help the Afghan people face their dire conditions and provide them with adequate housing,” he noted.
A recent report says the United Arab Emirates has affirmed its commitment to strengthening global cooperation and solidarity by providing humanitarian and relief assistance to support international efforts aimed at achieving peace, stability, and prosperity in Afghanistan.
The UAE is currently playing a significant role in evacuation operations, with the number of Afghans and foreign nationals who have been evacuated since the beginning of August to date reaching 36,500 on 26 August.
On 20th August, the UAE agreed to host 5,000 Afghan nationals evacuated from Afghanistan on their way to third countries. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that, following a request from the United States, it would host the Afghan nationals ater which time they would travel on to other nations.
The UAE has also played a major role in facilitating the evacuation of foreign nationals from Afghanistan. By 26th August, the UAE facilitated the evacuation of over 28,000 individuals, in addition to 8,500 coming to the UAE via national carriers and UAE airports since the beginning of August. To date, individuals evacuated with UAE assistance have included nationals from France, the UK, Japan, Australia, US, New Zealand, Latvia, Spain, and Mexico.
Working in concert with the US, the UAE established a transit hub and processing centre in Abu Dhabi from which travellers from Afghanistan undergo health and security screenings before continuing to the US or a third country. Under the coordination of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, the UAE is working with the US Embassy team, including Consular and Customs and Border officers, to process travellers around the clock.
Moreover, the UAE is providing evacuees with a comprehensive range of high-quality housing, sanitation, health, and food services to ensure their welfare while being processed.
Commenting on UAE evacuation efforts, Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi, Director of the International Security Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, remarked, “Since its founding as a nation, the UAE has championed a humanitarian approach that protects the most vulnerable and extends a hand of assistance to other countries in times of need.”