UAE President receives Olena Zelenska and donates $4 million to Ukrainian children

Tuesday, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine and Head of the Olena Zelenska Foundation, who is in the United Arab Emirates this week to attend the Forbes 30/50 Conference in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Mohamed visited Ms. Zelenska at the Qasr Al Bahr majlis and was briefed on the human impact of the Ukraine situation, especially on children.

The President of the United Arab Emirates directed that $4 million be allocated for the care of crisis-affected children in support of one of the Foundation’s projects known as “Family-Type Orphanages,” which will contribute to the construction of 10 structures that will house approximately 100 children.

His Majesty Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to the Ukrainian people through continuous humanitarian help, while highlighting the significance of international and regional efforts to find a political solution to restore security, stability, and peace.

Mrs. Zelenska commended Sheikh Mohamed for his support and humanitarian stance during the crisis, in addition to the UAE’s assistance to Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries.

The Ukrainian First Lady will meet with members of the Ukrainian community in the UAE during her visit.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, were in attendance at the meeting.

UAE and Humanitarian Aid

The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a new humanitarian hotspot after pledging $100 million to earthquake victims in the eastern Mediterranean. With the loss of at least 46,000 lives and the destruction of houses and cities in Turkey and Syria, the president of the World Health Organization deems the country’s help crucial. Jim Stenman has additional information from Dubai.

The international humanitarian metropolis in Dubai, which is home to over 80 NGOs and UN organizations, is spread out across 135,000 square meters and benefits from the city’s position as a major logistical center, having previously launched nine flights to earthquake-stricken areas.

About two weeks after the tragedy, including Monday’s aftershock, it is evident that humanitarian aid will be necessary for the foreseeable future.

Robert Blanchard, the head of the WHO’s Emergency Operations Unit in Dubai, said that “Globally, humanitarian statistics are increasing. Going forward, we anticipate that this growth will continue, as will the demand and the need to invest in a platform that can respond rapidly.”

And as the need for humanitarian assistance increases, not least owing to climate change, hubs such as the UAE may play an even larger role in the future.

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