UAE has become one of world's key donors of humanitarian assistance: Hamdan bin Zayed

Abu Dhabi, May 8, 2013 (WAM) - The UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has become one of the world's key donors of humanitarian assistance and its relief initiatives have provided hope and comfort for people affected disasters, according to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA). ''The UAE is committed to stay its humanitarian course and to promote values and initiatives that ease human suffering and support human development efforts in vulnerable developing communities,'' Sheikh Hamdan said in a statement to mark the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, an annual celebration of the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which falls on 8th May. Sheikh Hamdan noted that the UAE had become the destination of choice for the good forces to launch their international humanitarian initiatives in recognition of its role in forging constructive partnerships for safeguarding human dignity and mitigating human suffering. Highlighting the UAE's leading role in the international humanitarian scene, Sheikh Hamdan pointed to the UAE's hosting of the World Vaccine Summit Abu Dhabi which saw His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, donating donation of Dh 440 million to support global efforts to eradicate polio by 2018. Sheikh Hamdan appealed to the international community and humanitarian organisations to put on more efforts for developing the most vulnerable communities and to join hands for sparing millions of lives around the world who are facing the risks of conflicts, wars, climate change, world economic crises, poverty and shortage of food, medicine and water. ''The day provides a fitting opportunity for dialogue and discussion on key topics regarding the movement at a time when the world is experiencing rapid changes, a situation that needs a reconsideration of the concept of partnership, coordination of joint efforts and development of a novel strategy for humanitarian work,'' he added. ''The humanitarian work'', he said, ''needs more effective mechanisms to deliver humanitarian assistance to those in need in flashpoints and stimulate sustainable development.'' Locally, Sheikh Hamdan said the day is a pause for reflection and self assessment so as to push our humanitarian drive forward, build more partnerships and rally efforts to serve the targeted groups. - Emirates News Agency, WAM