UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stressed the need to urgently open humanitarian corridors to transport relief aid to the Gaza Strip without obstacles…reports Asian Lite News
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan continued his intensive communications with leaders of Arab and foreign countries to stop the violence and escalation in the Gaza Strip, and to mobilise international efforts, ensure respect for international humanitarian law, and provide protection for civilians to avoid them suffering further due to the worsening situation on the ground.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed held communications with His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, of Jordan, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel.
During the calls, His Highness stressed the urgency of preserving the lives of civilians and not dragging them into the cycle of escalating violence, while exercising the legal responsibility that ensures their protection and safety, especially children, women, and the elderly during conflicts, in addition to the release of hostages.
His Highness stressed the need to urgently open humanitarian corridors to transport relief aid to the Gaza Strip without obstacles, and to facilitate the mechanisms that ensure the necessary protection of those corridors while enabling the relevant humanitarian organisations to carry out their responsibilities, in order to ensure that the suffering of civilians does not worsen as a result of the escalating violence, especially in the presence of more than two million people, the vast majority of whom are innocent civilians who are not involved in the ongoing conflict.
The discussions held also stressed the importance of intensifying regional and international efforts to prevent the escalation and spread of violence, considering its serious implications for regional and international stability and peace.
The ongoing and intensive communications made by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed are part of the efforts being made by the United Arab Emirates to ensure that the situation does not further deteriorate.
UAE FM holds series of discussions
UAE Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan has held a series of phone calls with his counterparts in different countries and discussed the latest developments in the region, particularly on the humanitarian level, and efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by the repercussions of the current crisis
In a call with Jean Asselborn, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg, they reviewed ways to protect civilians and preserve their lives, being a top priority, in addition to the course of regional and international efforts to end extremism, tension, and escalating violence in the region.
Sheikh Abdullah emphasised the need for regional and international actors to work together in a unified way to safeguard the civilians in a call with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock.
The two top diplomats discussed the efforts of the international community to end the rising extremism, tension, and violence in the region.
In a telephone conversation with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Sheikh Abdullah addressed the security and humanitarian repercussions of the current crisis and efforts to urgently open safe corridors to deliver relief and medical aid to the civilians.
The two ministers also emphasised the significance of intensifying efforts to contain the current crisis and end extremism, tension and violence that foment instability in the region.
Sheikh Abdullah also talked to Australia’s Penny Wong and reaffirmed the importance of regional and international efforts focusing on protecting civilians and providing them with immediate humanitarian aid, in addition to intensifying efforts to end extremism, tension, and escalating violence.
Dubai’s IHC launches urgent relief airbridge
Dubai’s International Humanitarian City (IHC) announced that it has launched an urgent humanitarian airbridge operation to transport essential medical supplies and food assistance to Egypt and Lebanon.
The operation is in preparation for and in response to the growing challenges brought about by the ongoing crisis in the region.
The airbridge operation also comes in response to an immediate request for aid from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Giuseppe Saba, CEO of Dubai’s International Humanitarian City, stated: “The humanitarian airbridge has been swiftly established to transport urgently needed relief supplies to populations affected by the escalating crisis in the region. This mobilisation is a testament to the spirit of cooperation in times of conflict and dire need, as IHC leverages its vast network and resources to bolster humanitarian efforts, supporting rapid responses to humanitarian crises, improving readiness for emergencies, and ultimately, saving innocent lives.”
The initial shipment, consisting of more than 11 metric tonnes of essential supplies from WFP and UNICEF’s stockpile, including water, sanitation, hygiene, dignity kits, crucial aid materials, and essential food provisions, departed from Dubai today to El Arish in the North Sinai Governorate of Egypt.
This delivery significantly boosts healthcare response capacity through the Egyptian Red Crescent, ensuring that communities are well-equipped to address the urgent requirements resulting from the ongoing crisis. Moreover, the substantial quantity of food items will aid in alleviating the impact of food shortages on the most vulnerable.
