UAE announces $5m humanitarian aid for Ukraine

The UAE has 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.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres officially launched the appeal to fund the UN’s humanitarian operations in Ukraine on March 1, 2022.

According to UN reports, this assistance is critical in supporting the thousands of people suffering due to disruptions in essential services.

According to state-run news agency WAM, the UAE has underscored the importance of focusing on the deteriorating humanitarian situation for civilians, including by ensuring their protection, as well as preventing the unimpeded access for humanitarian agencies and actors and safe passage for those seeking to leave the country without discrimination or obstacles as stated during the UN Security Council’s meeting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine on February 28.

On March 1, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Sheikh Mohamed stressed the need for a peaceful solution to the crisis “in a way that maintains the interests and national security of all parties.”

At a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York last week, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) expressed particular alarm at the consequences for civilians present in Ukraine, as well as for the region, and for the international community.