UAE has played an active leading role in humanitarian relief since establishment

Toby Harward, Head of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, office in the UAE, has said that the United Arab Emirates, since its establishment in 1971, has played an active leading role in humanitarian relief; an extension of the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who had a history of philanthropic and humanitarian work.

The UNHRC official was speaking in a recent interview with the Emirates News Agency, WAM. He added that the UAE is aware of the crises in the region and is working to respond to these crises in modern and innovative ways. As 2017 is the "Year of Giving", announced by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has launched several humanitarian initiatives related to the humanitarian crisis in Syria, Yemen and Somalia. The latest humanitarian initiatives are the Humanitarian Accelerators launched by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the first of its kind in the Arab world, aimed at utilising modern technologies and competencies for humanitarian action and improving people's lives in all fields.

When asked about the value of the UAE's cooperation with UNHCR, Mr. Harward said that the body has strong relations with the UAE Government and its local institutions, nothing that the UAE and its leadership has a long history of generosity to alleviate human suffering, and has often worked with UNHCR on refugee issues. In addition, the government has been ready to assist UNHCR to find durable long term solutions for displaced persons.

He went on to say, "The UAE’s geostrategic position as a beacon of stability in a region of conflicts makes it an ideal location for UNHCR’s largest Global Stockpile Warehouse of emergency relief items, based in the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, adding that UNHCR lauded the generosity of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, and his wife, HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, Chairperson of the International Humanitarian City, who have regularly supported UNHCR’s emergency shipments.

In addition to that, he said, UNHCR highlighted its pride in the appointment of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation, TBHF, as UNHCR’s first Eminent Advocate, for three consecutive periods, in recognition of her humanitarian contribution to refugees across the region.

He said that the UNHCR is very grateful for the work of Her Highness Sheikha Jawahar, wife of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, adding that she has helped, on a personal level and through TBHF, some 800,000 refugees and internally displaced persons both in the region and globally with a total financial support of some US$22 million. In recognition of her unwavering commitment to displaced persons, her outstanding efforts to create better lives for those affected by war, and her humanitarian contribution to refugees across the region specially the women, children and elderly, she was appointed as first Eminent Advocate by UNHCR for three consecutive periods.

Asked about the campaign "For You Somalia", launched by the UAE to provide suffering Somalis with food, water, medicine and other necessities to help them survive their third famine in 25 years, the Mr. Harward commended Sheikh Khalifa for the initiative. At the same time, he added, UNHCR is seeking to partner with countries and organisations across the world in support of efforts to improve the country's conditions, support educational programmes, livelihoods, agriculture and fishing, which will in turn support refugees returning to their country in safety and dignity, especially for a country suffering due to drought, and ongoing wars for 28 years.

Speaking on the global warehouse of UNHCR in Dubai and its operations for 2016 and the first half of 2017, he said, "We are very grateful to Dubai for hosting UNHCR offices and global stockpile warehouses at the headquarters of the International Humanitarian City, established in 2003 at the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, and headed by Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein. These are the world's largest UNHCR Global Stockpile Warehouse, which accounts for 50 percent of the global UNHCR stock capacity. The presence of the warehouses in a strategic city such as Dubai enables us to reach sea and air ports, which facilitates our response to various crises and emergencies around the world in less than 72 hours. The warehouse contains essential relief items to help more than 200,000 people."

"In 2016 alone, 21 emergency shipments were sent from Dubai to Tanzania, Yemen, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and other countries," he added, noting that one of the most remarkable contributions during 2017 is the provision of assistance to more than 100,000 refugees fleeing violence in Southern Sudan towards Uganda. Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein responded to a state of emergency by financing a shipment of essential relief items such as tents, blankets and mobile kitchens worth more than AED 1.5 million.

About its future plans in the UAE, he said that UNHCR is working and cooperating with the UAE on several important projects, the most important of which is the UAE initiative to receive 15,000 Syrians over five years, starting this year, as announced at last September’s US-UN Leaders’ Summit on the Global Refugee Crisis, adding that the UAE already hosts nearly 250,000 Syrians in the country, including many who entered after the Syrian conflict erupted in 2011.

"However," he continued, "the huge scale of the Syrian displacement crisis requires new solutions in order to share responsibility and ease the burden on Syria’s neighbours. The UAE’s announcement to welcome an additional 15,000 Syrians showed that the country is ready to step forward and embrace one of the key global challenges of our time, and that it is willing to work with the United Nations to look beyond established solutions, and to find new, creative and innovative answers to forced displacement. UNHCR hopes that the results of this initiative will lead to the development of a new model of opportunity and mobility which can be replicated in other countries around the world."

"Also for the future, the UNHCR is excited at the prospects offered by the Humanitarian Accelerators recently announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Two of the four challenges to be addressed by the Humanitarian Accelerators directly address key issues identified in last year’s UN General Assembly summit on refugees: the need to provide both education and livelihoods to refugees."

"In addition, UNHCR leads on the subject of the return of refugees to their countries, in cooperation with other UN organisations and partners. When the time is right, we hope that the UAE will actively participate in supporting reconstruction of infrastructure and other associated development projects, both at government and private sector levels."

While the 1951 Refugee Convention is an important cornerstone of UNHCR’s work, the agency also works closely with all states, including those who are non-signatories of the Convention, on the basis of their own sovereign legislation, as well as customary and religious laws, including the Islamic principle of "haqq al amaan", the right to safety.

Many leading international companies now work with UNHCR in their key areas of expertise, including shelter provision, energy and telecommunications, and are achieving significant visibility and often ready markets for their brands.