UN praises new UAE initiative

The UAE's initiative for setting up a foreign aid co-ordination office has drawn praise from two UN resident representatives.

The UAE's setting up a foreign aid co-ordination office will help boost international co-operation with UN organisations and donors for the sake of quick response to urgent needs in flash points like Show more

The UAE's initiative for setting up a foreign aid co-ordination office has drawn praise from two senior UN resident representatives as the first of its kind in the region. Abdul Aziz Arrukban, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Humanitarian Envoy, said: "The foreign aid office is the first of its kind in the Middle East as it will assume a vital role in boosting international co-operation with UN organisations and donors for the sake of quick response to urgent needs in flash points and war-crisis struck regions." He added the initiative would raise hopes for further development and excellence in performance and moving ahead towards greater accuracy and transparency in international relief efforts. Abdul Haq Amiri, Director of UN regional Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the UAE, lauded the strong partnership between the UAE and international organisations for facilitating a constructive working and co-operation framework to serve population affected by disasters and conflicts. "By establishing this office, the UAE has taken long strides in the level of co-operation with international organisations and agencies. The office will contribute to raising standard of awareness about the UAE as an international donor and strengthen UAE relations with international donors, organisations and NGOs," he added.

*WAM