MICAD, IRC join forces to provide healthcare, education to refugees in Iraqi Kurdistan and Jordan

ABU DHABI (WAM): The U.A.E. Ministry of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD), yesterday signed two agreements with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), to provide healthcare, education and job opportunities to Syrian refugees in Jordan and the Kurdish Region of Iraq. The Agreements were signed by Hazza Mohammad Falah Al Qahtani, the Under-Secretary of MICAD and David Miliband, President and CEO of the IRC on the side-lines of the 69th United Nations General Assembly in New York. According to the agreements, the U.A.E. will provide an amount of Dh 14.6 million (US$4 million) to the IRC. Al Qahtani said that the assistance comes within the U.A.E.'s effective humanitarian response to the repercussions of the Syrian crisis and in implementation to the wise directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and support of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces Of these funds, Dh 7.3 million (US$2 million) is allocated to provide high-quality healthcare services to 80,000 Syrian refugees residing in Al Mafraq and Irbid governorates in Jordan. While Dh 7.3 million (US$2 million) will help to empower 6,000 children and youth through education and livelihoods opportunities in Duhok and Erbil governorates in Iraqi-Kurdistan. Both agreements will be implemented over a period of twelve months. Commenting on this agreement, Al Qahtani said, "The U.A.E. is keen to work with international organisations to ensure the provision of proper healthcare, education and job opportunities to those in need. We are pleased to be able to support Syrian refugees in the neighbouring countries in coordination with the IRC." Miliband added, "The scale of daily suffering and misery as a result of the conflicts in Syria and Iraq is stretching the humanitarian system like never before. On behalf of those escaping dreadful violence not of their making, the IRC is pleased to partner with MICAD. We will now be able to further address the needs of Syrian refugees who live outside formal camps in Jordan, and also to prioritise education in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. The IRC is needed around the world like never before, and it is with support from organisations like MICAD that we continue to serve those whose lives have been torn apart." These funds for the IRC are part of an overall U.A.E. commitment of Dh 1.1 billion (US$300 million), pledged by the U.A.E. at an international pledging conference for Syria held in January 2013 in Kuwait. – Emirates News Agency, WAM –