The United Arab Emirates and the International Committee of the Red Cross have together signed an agreement to set up an office for the humanitarian organisation in the city of Abu Dhabi.
The new office strives to strengthen partnership and cooperation between both sides.
The Geneva-based agency is present in Dubai as it has an office established at International Humanitarian City.
The Minister of State for International Co-operation, Reem Al Hashimy, stated that the UAE has always been keen to assist international organisations doing their relief work.
Ms Al Hashimy stated, “We adore the renowned relations and strengthened cooperation we have with ICRC.”
He further added that the agreement to launch an office for the committee in the UAE would contribute towards achieving the desired plans in terms of relief work, reaching the needy and utilising modern techniques in the field in light of upcoming challenges presently facing relief work in several regions of the world.
The president of the ICRC, Peter Maurer, stated that they are grateful for the Emirates’ continuous support.
Earlier, in May, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and chairman of the ERC, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, stated that the UAE is among the world’s key donors as well as supporters of the ICRC and Red Crescent Movement.
While speaking ahead of the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on May 8, Sheikh Hamdan stated that the UAE had become a regional centre for support, supply and logistics in the area of emergency humanitarian relief, as well as a permanent headquarters for several international humanitarian organisations that have found in the UAE the suitable place to manage their relief operations in the neighbouring areas.
During 2020, 14.9 million Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers reached over 688 million people with disaster and other emergency response work, 306 million more with health-related activities, as well as 125 million along with clean water and sanitation assistance.