UAE response to displaced Syrians during winter campaign 2016 praised

United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Lebanon Philippe Lazzarini, has commended the UAE's efforts in assisting refugees in Lebanon. 

He noted that the generous support provided by the UAE met the basic needs of the refugees in Lebanon who had been forced to flee their country, but deserved to live in dignity. 

The UN official was speaking on the occasion of conclusion of the campaign, "The UAE response to the displaced Syrians during the winter of 2016," launched in implementation of the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and direct field co-ordination and supervision of the UAE embassy in Beirut. 

He added that the relief aid has contributed to easing the burden on the Lebanese society, which hosted the refugees, despite lack of resources and limitations. 

Lazzarini said that the participation of Lebanon to bear the burden was a collective responsibility, hoping that the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council support to Lebanon would continue to overcome the challenges resulting from the Syrian crisis, to maintain the stability of the country. 

George Kettaneh, Secretary-General of the Lebanese Red Cross, lauded the UAE's support to the refugees. He added that it was not the first time that the UAE had extended help to those affected by crises and conflicts, citing many humanitarian achievements in this regard, especially in Lebanon. He thanked the UAE government, Emirates Red Crescent and the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for their continuous humanitarian assistance. 

The Mufti of Lebanon, Sheikh Abdul Latif Deryan, commended the UAE's humanitarian efforts championed by philanthropists to assist the needy wherever they are. 

Hamad Saeed Sultan Al Shamsi, the UAE Ambassador to Lebanon, said that the humanitarian dimension has been an integral part of the UAE's foreign policy since the era of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a course sustained by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed. 

He added that Lebanon has been in the heart of the UAE leadership, given the historic relations, and noted that the UAE contributed effectively to the post-war rebuilding of infrastructure and demining projects. 

Source: WAM