Photo: AFP file
The UAE has entered into a $3-million funding agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) to support Sudanese refugees in neighboring Chad. Recent reports from international relief organizations indicate that as of last month, over 680,000 Sudanese refugees have sought refuge in Chad due to the persistent violence in their homeland. The majority of these refugees are women and children, who often arrive with limited resources and in urgent need of assistance.
This $3-million contribution to WHO's operations in Chad is aimed at enhancing the health of Sudanese refugees, particularly women and children. It will enable WHO to expand access to high-quality maternal and child health services, including vaccination and nutrition programs, and bolster the resilience of local health systems in the affected regions.
In addition, the UAE and WHO have finalized a second agreement to establish a global logistics hub for emergency response. Both agreements were signed in Abu Dhabi by Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO's Deputy Director-General and Executive Director of the Health Emergencies Programme.
Al Hashimy stated, "The UAE, in collaboration with WHO, will continue to tackle international health challenges and support vulnerable communities worldwide." She further added, "This agreement underscores the UAE’s unwavering commitment to addressing global humanitarian needs and ensuring the continuity of life-saving aid in conflict zones and crisis-affected areas, in partnership with others."
Commenting on the agreements, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said, "The UAE is a crucial and strategic partner to WHO and has actively contributed to serving vulnerable communities globally. The agreement to host WHO’s Global Health Emergency Logistics Hub is a significant milestone, highlighting our joint commitment to addressing global health challenges."
WHO has maintained a presence in the UAE since 2015, with the establishment of its regional office for the Middle East in Dubai. This office has played a pivotal role in emergency responses and health operations across the Middle East.
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