The head of the United Nations has praised the UAE for its aid donations this year, urging it to continue helping needy people in other countries. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, received a letter yesterday from Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general, praising the country for hosting the global humanitarian appeal last month, the state news agency, WAM, reported.
Abu Dhabi hosted a launch of the appeal to publicise the fund, which was also launched in Geneva. The appeal set a US$7 billion (Dh25.7bn) target for donations for next year. The money will reach about 30 million people in 31 countries, including Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Iraq. Food, water, sanitation and health programmes account for about half of the amount. The UN said Sudan needs about $2.2bn and the RDC about $830m.
Mr Ban also urged the UAE to join a meeting in January of aid donors to discuss priorities, strategies and co-ordinated responses to aid appeals. Among the UAE's contributions this year was a Dh180m donation to victims of the earthquake in China and Dh100m to build 1,000 houses in Yemen. jhume@thenational.ae