UAE welcomes Afghan girls and at-risk activists on humanitarian grounds

They include girls' cycling team and human rights figures

UAE welcomed 41 Afghan evacuees, including members of the Afghan girls’ cycling and robotic teams, as well as at-risk human rights activists and their family members. Wam

The UAE received 41 humanitarian evacuees from Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds. WAM

The 41 Afghans also include at-risk human rights activists and their family members.

The operation was sponsored by and conducted in co-operation with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and IsraAID, which accompanied the group following their entry into Tajikistan from Kabul and onward journey to the UAE.

The 41 Afghans include members of the Afghanistan girls’ cycling and robotic teams.

The women, girls and families will be hosted at the Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi. They will receive high-quality housing, sanitation, health, and food services to ensure their welfare. Wam

The women, girls and families will be hosted at the Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE has welcomed 41 Afghans following the Kabul evacuation, including members of the Afghanistan girls’ cycling and robotic teams.

They also include at-risk human rights activists and their family members.

The operation was sponsored by and conducted in co-operation with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and IsraAID, which accompanied the group following their entry into Tajikistan from Kabul and onward journey to the UAE.

The women, girls and families will be hosted at the Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi. They will receive high-quality housing, sanitation, health, and food services to ensure their welfare, state news agency Wam reported.

They are then set to depart for Canada, where their immigration applications will be processed on a priority basis.

Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi, director of the International Security Co-operation Department at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, said: "The UAE is deeply honoured to work alongside its partners in the international community to assist the Afghan people on humanitarian grounds.

"Recognising the importance of aiding women, girls, and families in particular, the UAE is sparing no effort to ensure that those in need may reach safety in pursuit of a better future.

"Drawing upon our enduring humanitarian commitment and values of co-operation and partnership, the UAE will continue to identify ways to assist Afghan nationals by welcoming them into the country until they depart for their final destinations."

The latest operation is part of the UAE’s humanitarian effort to host nearly 9,000 Afghan nationals on their way to third countries. The UAE has played a significant role in evacuation operations, with the number of Afghans and foreign nationals removed since the beginning of August reaching almost 40,000.

UAE's fourth aid plane arrives in Kabul

The fourth UAE aid plane in less than 48 hours has arrived in Kabul, carrying medicine and food to support humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan.

It was part of the UAE's air bridge ordered by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

The air bridge continues around the clock to assist thousands of Afghan families, especially women, children and the elderly.

The UAE was one of the first countries to send urgent humanitarian aid to Kabul after the crisis in Afghanistan.

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets Afghan evacuees last week - in pictures