DUBAI // Princess Haya of Jordan has warned of an impending humanitarian crisis for refugees from South Sudan.
Princess Haya, wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, appealed for help after visiting refugee camps in Ethiopia this week in her role as a United Nations envoy.
The camps are overflowing as more than a 1,000 refugees, mostly women and children, pour into the country each day.
“The mothers I talked to said they don’t have enough food to feed their families now and their situation is getting more desperate by the day,” said Princess Haya. “Aid workers expect food stocks to be depleted as soon as September.
“The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, needs financial support to avert a food crisis for thousands.”
The focus of attention is the city of Gambela, which has become home to 169,000 refugees who fled the civil war that erupted in South Sudan in December. The city was already hosting 58,983 South Sudanese in camps before the onset of renewed hostilities.
Princess Haya visited the Kule 2 camp, where she met local officials, UNHCR staff and other aid agencies’ workers.
A week earlier UNHCR launched a revised appeal for US$658 million (Dh2.42bn) to help up to 715,000 refugees expected in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda this year.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Analysis
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.