UAE is leading model of humanitarian support for Rohingyas, Somalis

Toby Harword, Director of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, Bureau in the UAE, said that the nation was a leading model of humanitarian support in Somalia, as well as for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

In an interview with the Emirates News Agency, WAM, Harword noted that the UAE was well aware of the crises facing the region and was responding to them in contemporary and innovative ways.

Harword highlighted the fact that the UAE had pledged to donate US$7 million to the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh to reduce their suffering, during its participation in the donors’ conference that was held to discuss the plight of the refugees in Geneva on 23rd October.

The director stated that the Big Heart Foundation provided an immediate donation of AED367,300, which would benefit some 4,700 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

He reiterated that the UAE presented a great example of humanitarian support through its campaign 'For your sake Somalia', which was aimed at rescuing the Somalians, reducing their suffering, as well as providing them with food, water, medical requirements and other basic needs to save them from a third famine in 25 years.

Harword emphasised that the UNHCR was conducting and co-ordinating the international efforts aimed at protecting refugees across the world, including Somali and Rohingya refugees.

He affirmed that the Rohingya issue was considered among the most crucial issues in the world today and observed that the recent statistics showed some 603,000 Rohingya refugees had fled to Bangladesh since 25th August, 2017.