Ukraine: UAE sends 30 tonnes of emergency medical and relief aid

The UAE on Monday sent an aircraft carrying 30 metric tonnes of emergency health aid and medical supplies, as part of its emergency relief efforts to assist civilians in Ukraine, according to state-run news agency WAM.

The aircraft landed in Lublin, Poland, and the aid was handed over to the Ukrainian authorities in Poland to be further transported to Ukraine.

“Sending an aircraft with medical supplies and relief aid is part of the UAE’s steadfast commitment to essential humanitarian needs in conflicts involving civilians, especially women and children, and to provide whatever assistance we can in what is a deteriorating humanitarian situation,” said Salem A Al-Kaabi, the UAE‘s Ambassador to Ukraine.

Last week, the UAE already announced $5m in humanitarian assistance to benefit civilians impacted by the situation in Ukraine. The contribution will be made to the United Nations’ Humanitarian Flash Appeal and the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Ukraine.

Read: UAE announces $5m humanitarian aid for Ukraine

According to UN reports, this assistance is critical in supporting the thousands of people suffering due to disruptions in essential services. There are reported to be over 1.2 million refugees as a result of the ongoing crisis.

On March 4, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, discussed in a telephone conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, developments in Ukraine.

Sheikh Mohamed during the call stressed the importance of finding peaceful solutions through negotiation, dialogue and understanding. He added that the UAE supports every move aimed at a peaceful settlement of the crisis, and was keen to provide assistance to affected civilians in Ukraine.

Also, within the framework of the 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the situation in Ukraine, the UAE voted in favour of a resolution on the human rights situation in Ukraine. ‏The resolution recalls the obligations of all states under Article 2 of the Charter to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, and to settle its international disputes by peaceful means.

Meanwhile, the UAE has reinstated the visa-free entry of all Ukrainian citizens arriving into the country from March 3. Ukrainian citizens who arrive in the UAE before March 3 can continue to stay for a period of up to a year without having to pay any fines, while those who arrive after March 3 can only stay for 30 days.

Read also: UAE reinstates visa-free entry for Ukrainian citizens