Abu Dhabi: The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said that the Government of the UAE earlier this year made a generous Dh18 million ($5 million) contribution, as part of its ongoing humanitarian initiative, for the provision of health assistance in the Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps in Jordan, of which Dh7 million has been allocated to health activities, and Dh11 million for UNHCR’s water, sanitation and health initiative, WASH.
The UNHCR said that the impact of the contribution was evident in a progress report recently submitted by them to the UAE Ministry of International Cooperation and Development. The report said that through the UAE’s support, UNHCR was able to strengthen the provision of essential health services by covering the cost of over 30 per cent of the total health needs of both camps between January and September this year.
The UAE’s aid allowed UNHCR to reach almost 94,000 Syrian refugees through two field hospitals operating with a total of 55 beds, nine primary health-care centres, and one delivery unit in Zaatari camp. In the Azraq refugee camp, the UAE’s donation is supporting a clinic that is open 24 hours per day, seven days a week, and one health post, added the report.
“There is no doubt that this contribution reflects the deep and strategic humanitarian partnership established between UNHCR and the leadership, government and people of the United Arab Emirates. We appreciate the UAE’s generosity, which has enabled us and our partners in the field to provide comprehensive health services and much needed assistance in the form of water and sanitation to camp-based Syrian refugee populations in Jordan,” said Nabeel Othman, UNHCR’s Acting Regional Representative to the GCC countries.
