UAE statement on launch of humanitarian response plan

Within the framework of the humanitarian response plan for Yemen, launched by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations in Geneva, has said the UAE supports the UN efforts in light of the state's humanitarian role and support to the people of Yemen to alleviate their suffering.

He added that this comes in line with the fulfillment of the UAE's values, its authentic and well-established belief in humanity that has become the approach of all its charitable institutions and bodies.

Delivering the UAE's statement before the donor states and humanitarian organisations, Al Zaabi said the UAE appreciates the significant role played by the OCHA and international bodies regarding the provision of humanitarian aid to Yemen. "The UAE strongly supports the tireless pursuit of OCHA to deliver aid to those in need in this difficult period."

He reiterated that the UAE adopts a comprehensive humanitarian approach in supporting Yemen at various economic, humanitarian and logistical levels, in order to put it on the path of reconstruction and development, through construction, reconstruction and planting hope in the Yemeni people towards a better future, where everyone will enjoy security, stability and prosperity.

The UAE official said that the UAE's relief efforts in Yemen involve the government and people as various humanitarian and charitable state institutions are onboard. He cited Emirates Red Crescent, ERC, the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable and Humanitarian Establishment and other humanitarian organisations and associations in the state.

Al Zaabi highlighted a number of initiatives undertaken by the UAE to support brothers in Yemen, with a view to enable the Yemeni people to overcome the difficult conditions they experience because of the crisis in the country. He referred to the initiative of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in which he instructed Emirates Red Crescent to treat 1500 Yemenis who have been injured in the conflict in Yemen.

He added that the dozens of cargo planes and ships were dispatched to provide the relief supplies to the Yemeni people.

The UAE official also cited the initiative of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, to provide the necessary support for 15 projects in Aden and neighbouring governorates. The initiative include health, education and social fields, water, electricity and energy as well as supporting women and rehabilitation of people with disabilities, and improving of shelter services in remote areas.

Al Zaabi also referred to the UAE's efforts in the areas of the reconstruction of infrastructure, especially in health, education, electricity and water sectors, being important key sectors for the Yemeni people.

He noted that the ERC works on the reconstruction and renovation of 154 schools in Aden Governorate, where more than 123 school were delivered after the rehabilitation, and furnishing with full office equipment and educational appliances for staff. Those schools have received students who enrolled in their classrooms in various stages of education at the level of the governorate of Aden and directorates.

In the energy sector, he continued, the UAE is making unremitting efforts to implement many projects to restore power plants and rehabilitate the distribution power networks projects, in order to end the crisis of power outage. The UAE has allocated AED 800.7 million (US$218) to support the energy and power sector. It also provided AED466.1 million to support the transport sector. The UAE has also provided transport vehicles as well as water and fuel tankers.

Al Zaabi stressed that the UAE has assumed world's top position as the largest donor of humanitarian aid in response to the humanitarian situation during the Yemeni crisis, according to international organisations and UN data. He added that the UAE played a major humanitarian role in affected countries, noting that the development aid to Yemen amounted to more than AED2.85 billion (US$776.8 million).

He underlined that the UAE will continue to be a strong supporter for Yemen and its people in cooperation with the United Nations and all humanitarian actors in order to respond to the needs of brothers in Yemen, and help them to rebuild their country to ensure the stability and security.

Al Zaabi thanked Stephen O'Brien, Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Ambassador Ali Mohammed Saeed Majawar, Permanent Representative of Yemen to the United Nations for their overall presentation on the humanitarian situation in Yemen. Al Zaabi also thanked Jamie McGoldrick, Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator, who oversaw the special response plan for Yemen this year.