WAM, Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organisation mull stronger cooperation

ABU DHABI, 26th June, 2016 (WAM) -- Executive Director of Emirates News Agency (WAM), Jamal Nasser Al Suwaider, and Secretary-General of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organisation (ARCO), Dr Saleh bin Hamad Al Suhaibani, have discussed ways of enhancing cooperation and coordination between the two entities in various areas. During the talks which took place at the UAE's National Media Council, the head of the pan-Arab body praised WAM for playing a leading role in shining the light on relief and humanitarian activities at national and international levels. He also praised the agency for having a strong Emirati presence in covering disasters and humanitarian crises. For his part, Mr Al Suwaider praised the Arab organisation for encouraging cooperation and coordination between members to enhance relief operations and humanitarian response to help victims of disasters. The secretary-general of the ARCO noted that the UAE's humanitarian approach was established by the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and that his son, namely President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, continues to uphold the humanitarian legacy he left behind. Mr Al Suhaibani further noted that the number of Syrians who live in the UAE stands at a quarter of a million. He said the UAE is one of the largest donors of humanitarian and development aid for Syrian refugees. Additionally, he praised the Reading Nation campaign, launched earlier this month by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to distribute five million books to children in refugee camps and schools around the world. He described the initiative as timely, adding that the ARCO counts on the campaign to support its educational programmes. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395297148565.html