‘UAE protects refugees, their dignity’

Abu Dhabi / WAM

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), affirmed the UAE’s commitment to support refugees, highlight their humanitarian situation and help them overcome their conditions.
In his statement for the annual International Day of Refugees on June 20, he said that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is performing a vital role in reducing the impact of the refugee crisis, which affects millions of people around the world.
He highlighted the UAE’s efforts to solve the refugee crisis by promoting social development and achieving security and stability, through the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa and the initiatives of the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Sheikh Hamdan added that the UAE realised, at an early stage, the effects of poverty, famine, oppression, marginalisation, and conflict on the worsening refugee crisis.
He stressed that the UAE will always protect refugees and their dignity while calling on the international community to exert greater efforts to solve the crisis and provide its victims with better living conditions.
“The UAE is always keen to care for and protect refugees and supports the voluntary return of refugees to their homes,” he affirmed.
Sheikh Hamdan explained the concerns of the UAE’s government and people for refugees around the world and the fact that their conditions have worsened over recent years, due to the armed conflicts and crises in many countries.

He went on to note the role of the ERC in supporting refugees and providing them with shelter while noting that it has maintained the quality of its services for refugees, despite numerous challenges.
Sheikh Hamdan praised the role of the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, in supporting millions of refugees and displaced people in many countries, and highlighted the ongoing cooperation between the ERC and the UNHCR in managing the “Sheikha Fatima Fund to Support Women and Children Refugees,” which was established by HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, to improve the lives of female refugees and harness support for relevant projects.

Resolving refugee crisis leads to world
stability and peace: Sheikha Jawaher
Sharjah / WAM

HH Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, has called on world governments and international organisations to put the worldwide refugee crisis at the top of their agendas.
Sheikha Jawaher’s call coincides with the World Refugee Day and The Big Heart Foundation’s anniversary on June 20, and reflects the refugee issue as a global humanitarian challenge that must be collectively solved due to its significant impact on global stability and peace and the future of entire generations of children and young people in countries affected by conflicts and unrest.
“Ensuring a better future for refugees and protecting their human dignity is a process that begins with addressing the root causes of forced displacement and the circumstances which led to it,” she said.
“We are dealing with a humanitarian crisis that requires constant effort and consistent commitment to provide an environment for refugees which enables them to carry on with their daily lives. We must provide them with the hope that they will soon return to their home countries where they can effectively participate in sustainable development once these conflicts come to an end,” Sheikha Jawaher continued.

According to the UNHCR, 65.6 million people worldwide were forced to leave their homes. Among them nearly 21.3 million are refugees, more than half of whom are under 18 years old. Every day, 34,000 people are forcibly displaced as a result of conflict or persecution, most of them do not have access to basic rights of healthcare and education, and many of them starve.
Many international charity and humanitarian organisations continue to offer urgent relief assistance to refugees at a time when the displacement crisis has hit rock bottom, and notable efforts have been made by TBHF, a Sharjah-based global humanitarian organisation dedicated to helping people in need worldwide.

Last year saw remarkable achievements made by TBHF, which manifested in an array of humanitarian projects it led in several parts of the world and generous donations it extended to key sectors such as service, health and education. The foundation began 2017 with two humanitarian initiatives, namely, the Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support in collaboration with UNHCR – to recognise distinguished humanitarian contributions by organisations and individuals; and the Girl Child Fund – an initiative to advocate for the rights of girls worldwide. The year ended on a high note with the selection of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, SMC, as TBHF Humanitarian Envoy.

The foundation’s humanitarian projects in 2017 included providing healthcare, hygiene, lifesaving aid and unconditional cash grants to refugees in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt and Bangladesh.