Sheikha Lubna thanks UAE’s aid workers

ABU DHABI // The UAE has donated almost Dh4.9 billion to a range of causes over the past five years, the Minister of International Cooperation and Development has said.

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, who is also head of the UAE Committee for the Coordination of Humanitarian Foreign Aid, spoke on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day. She said the funding has helped to provide humanitarian relief around the world.

“The scenarios of such challenges are getting more dangerous with the spread of famine and diseases and the increasing alarming indicators of the dislocation and immigration of millions of people outside their homes and countries due to conflicts and natural and environmental catastrophes,” she said, according to Wam, the state news agency.

The UAE topped the list of the world’s biggest development and humanitarian donor countries in 2013 and last year compared to national income.

Sheikha Lubna praised the work of UAE nationals who have helped to deliver aid and relief to several parts of the world despite the dangers. “No words are enough to thank them and their fellow workers across the world,” she said.

UAE governmental aid during humanitarian disasters around the world reached Dh2.82 billion between 2009 and last year.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and chairman of Emirates Red Crescent, said the UAE, led by the President, Sheikh Khalifa, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has a crucial role in improving response to crises.