Lubna Al Qasimi advocates global vision to deal with humanitarian crisis in Syria

ABU DHABI, 6th February, 2016 (WAM)--The current humanitarian crisis in Syria highlights international community need to deal effectively with humanitarian crises and disasters, Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, Head of the UAE Committee for the Coordination of Humanitarian Foreign Aid has said. She added that the serious situation in Syria is the product of worsening security situation and the ensuing humanitarian tragedy with the displacement of millions of Syrians and the difficult situation they face. Sheikha Lubna noted that the Syrian people lack of the minimum basic necessities for life, and "the international community needs to work together to formulate a common framework to deal with the crisis and strengthen cooperation channels and support capabilities of international humanitarian organisations concerned with the Syrian crisis." She reiterated that the international community needs to provide support to Syria's neighbouring countries, which have received large numbers of displaced people since the start of the crisis. Sheikha Lubna made the remarks during a meeting in London yesterday with Lilianne Ploumen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of The Netherlands. They met during the fourth donors' conference, where they discussed methods to enhance bilateral cooperation to support international development efforts, as well as to coordinate and exchange views on ways to provide humanitarian support to the Syrian people. Sheikha Lubna said that the UAE is a strong supporter of the humanitarian effort in Syria, citing that the UAE's aid contribution exceeded Dh 2.2 billion, during the last four years. The UAE supports on-going cooperation with all countries and international humanitarian organisations in Syria. On a separate level, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, met Pierre Krahenbuhl, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). During the meeting, she emphasised on the importance of strengthening the partnership between the UAE and international institutions involved in the development of the humanitarian work. This is in line the directives and vision of the wise leadership of the UAE. This also sprung from the UAE's longstanding commitment towards the Palestinian cause as well as the refugees. Krahenbuhl expressed his utmost appreciation of the UAE's pivotal role in addressing the topic of the United Nations Agency for Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees, and the authorities' support of humanitarian development. The meeting was attended by Sultan Mohamed Al Shamsi, Assistant Under-Secretary for International Development, at the Ministry of Development and International Cooperation, Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Director of the International Organisations Department at the Foreign Ministry. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395291196300.html