Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) celebrated World Humanitarian Day on Monday at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, bringing together key local and international organisations to honour humanitarian workers and volunteers for their vital role in empowering vulnerable communities in addition to fostering the humanitarian values and principles embraced by the UAE.
In his remarks, His Excellency Rashid Mubarak Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the ERC said that the mission of the ERC stems from the enduring legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which continues to guide the UAE’s current leadership and its unwavering dedication to humanitarian efforts.
The ERC’s commitment to fulfilling its mission to alleviate human suffering comes with significant responsibilities, he noted, particularly as the world faces numerous humanitarian challenges, including conflicts, wars, climate-related natural disasters, and health crises.
Al Mansouri further stressed the importance of strengthening strategic partnerships with local, regional, and international organisations as a vital step towards addressing the complexities of modern humanitarian challenges.
Dh15 Billion Invested in Humanitarian Initiatives
Obaid Al Blooshi, Director of Relief and Disaster Preparedness at the ERC, detailed the organisation’s substantial impact since its founding.
The ERC currently operates in 152 countries and has invested a total of Dh15 billion in its various initiatives, benefitting 388 million people worldwide.
The ERC’s extensive efforts include the investment of Dh6 billion in over 558,000 projects, in addition to spending Dh933 million on seasonal programmes such as Zakat and Eid clothing, assisting 37 million beneficiaries.
Relief efforts have seen an expenditure of Dh4 billion, providing aid to 205 million individuals.
The ERC also supports 122,000 orphans and families, with annual financial assistance totalling Dh288 million.
Humanitarian Workers Face Grim Reality
The year 2023 has become the deadliest on record for humanitarian workers, said Nader El Nakib, UNHCR Chief of Private Sector Partnerships in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Tragically, the situation is expected to deteriorate further in 2024.
The UNHCR representative noted that this alarming trend has been marked by a surge in kidnappings, killings, and attacks targeting humanitarian workers, as well as assaults on health and educational facilities.
The number of fatalities among relief workers soared from 118 in 2020 to 261 in 2023, according to El Nakib.
“On World Humanitarian Day, we stand in solidarity with our humanitarian colleagues who are victims of conflicts and acts of violence. We honour the lives lost and commend the bravery of humanitarian workers who serve those in need, irrespective of who or where they are,” he said.
UAE Plays Crucial Role in Supporting Refugees
By the end of 2023, the global count of forcibly displaced persons reached a record 122 million, marking a dramatic rise from a decade ago.
Low- and middle-income countries, which host approximately 75 percent of refugees, are grappling with the dual challenge of addressing their own citizens’ needs while extending support to displaced populations, according to El Nakib.
The pressure on local infrastructure has led to significant gaps in essential services, with over half of the world’s 15 million refugee children lacking access to formal education, he added, noting that addressing these challenges requires global solidarity and collaborative efforts.
The UAE plays a crucial role in supporting refugees worldwide, and its commitment is reflected in the strategic partnerships between UNHCR and local organisations such as the ERC, the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Women Refugees, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, said El Nakib.
Dr. Sama Al Shawi, the legal adviser at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UAE, stated that the world is currently witnessing 120 armed conflicts, exacerbating the humanitarian suffering experienced by affected populations.
“In the face of this suffering, the importance of impartial, neutral, and independent humanitarian work becomes evident, as embodied by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement through the humanitarian principles that guide its mission,” she added.
Al Shawi further noted that the ICRC plays a central role in promoting adherence to international humanitarian law and calls on all parties to armed conflicts to comply with the law.
Record-high Violations Against Children
The United Nations has verified nearly 350,000 instances of “grave violations” against children from 2005 to 2023, a figure that underscores a disturbing trend of increasing violence and exploitation in conflict zones, according to Saji Thomas, Chief of Childhood Protection at UNICEF.
Over the past 30 years, approximately 30 million children worldwide have been displaced due to ongoing conflicts, leaving them vulnerable to various forms of abuse, he said.
Thomas detailed the six categories of grave violations identified by the UN Security Council: the killing and maiming of children, the recruitment of child soldiers, attacks on schools and hospitals, sexual violence, abduction, and denial of humanitarian access.
He noted that this “shocking” scale of violations reveals significant gaps in enforcement and protection despite the adoption of long-standing international frameworks including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Geneva Conventions.
Thomas stressed the importance of a multifaceted response involving collective efforts to ensure stronger protections and interventions to safeguard the rights and lives of children around the world.
Role of Media
Regarding the role of media in supporting humanitarian work, Dr. Jamal Al Kaabi, Acting Director of the Emirates News Agency, said that the media plays a crucial role in coordinating relief efforts and delivering aid to those in need, through contributing to public awareness, mobilising support, and gathering resources.
He also highlighted the UAE’s humanitarian efforts which not only include in-kind assistance, but also extend to developmental projects designed to elevate communities and help them progress, setting a global standard in unity and solidarity.
Local Efforts
Hani Al-Zubaidi, CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE, highlighted its strategy which is inspired by the humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah bless his soul.
“He was a living example of humanity and boundless giving, a leader who dedicated his life to serving people and society, not only in the United Arab Emirates but whose generosity extended to the entire world.”
He added, "Our celebration of World Humanitarian Day serves as a reminder that, regardless of our differences, we are all connected by a shared humanity and a common thread linking us in our quest for a better world."
Nafisa Tawfiq, Chairwoman of the UAE Rare Diseases Society, highlighted its role in offering psychological, moral, and social support for individuals with rare diseases and their families, in addition to raising public awareness and supporting scientific research in collaboration with both local and federal government entities as well as private and international organisations.
Hooria Al Marri, Chairwoman of the UAE Congenital Heart Association, discussed its role in improving the quality of life for individuals with congenital heart diseases through enhancing awareness and promoting early disease detection.
The association, in collaboration with the ERC, launched a national health initiative aimed at conducting preventive medical check-ups for over a million students across all emirates to detect cases of congenital heart diseases, in line with national goals, according to Al Marri.
