UAE’s timely help to wounded Somalis

The recent blasts in the Somalian capital, Mogadishu, which killed and injured a huge number of people, were barbaric acts in which the cowardly perpetrators targeted innocent civilians who were going about their daily routine, The Gulf Today said in an editorial on Saturday.

"The UAE has always remained a true friend of Somalia, and the timely assistance it has been extending to the victims comes in line with its ever-benevolent approach. As per the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, several Somalis who were wounded in the terrorist explosion in Mogadishu have been transported abroad to receive treatment.

"Somalia has been facing numerous humanitarian challenges that require cooperation and coordination with international community organisations and other relevant humanitarian agencies. It is heartening that the UAE remains in the forefront when it comes to extending help to the victims during such testing times," said the English-language daily.

The paper went on to say that a medical aircraft equipped with the latest medical tools has transported the injured Somalis to Kenya while accompanied by Emirati doctors, where the victims will receive treatment in some of the best Kenyan hospitals, under the supervision of an Emirati medical team from the Emirates Red Crescent, ERC. "Incidentally, the UAE is covering the cost of treating the wounded and providing them with medical care to ease their suffering, help in their recovery, and provide them with comfort, along with their companions during their stay," it added.

To help families that lost their breadwinners in the attack, the ERC is also sponsoring 300 orphans for the next six months, and the Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Mogadishu is treating those who sustained moderate injuries in the bombing, the Sharjah-based daily explained.

UAE diplomats in Somalia also rose to the occasion and donated blood to help save the lives of those injured, the paper continued.

"Early this year, a Unified Media Campaign Broadcast "For You Somalia" was launched by Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah TVs, as well as local radio stations, to mobilise support for the drive commenced under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to curb the famine in Somalia. The UAE earlier pledged AED500 million to help Mogadishu and has been making earnest efforts to fulfil the aspirations of the Somali people by contributing to providing them with stability and a decent life.

"The Somali people will never forget the UAE’s such honourable actions, also considering the fact that the ERC has been giving great attention to the humanitarian conditions in Somalia for quite a long time," The Gulf Today concluded.