Day: May 17, 2024

ABU DHABI: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a beacon of inspiration in the global humanitarian landscape, and His Highness’ life has been distinguished by unwavering support for people and nations in crisis.

Through his leadership in charitable and humanitarian projects worldwide, His Highness has continued to foster a culture of compassion and generosity.

The humanitarian initiatives of His Highness have contributed to strengthening the UAE’s position as a leading global donor in providing developmental and charitable assistance. His noble initiatives have followed the path laid by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, exemplifying the principles of human fraternity, tolerance, coexistence, and peace that the UAE promotes around the world.

The recent granting of the ‘Global Humanitarian Personality’ award to His Highness by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) underscores global recognition and appreciation for His Highness’ role and continued contributio
ns to humanitarian relief efforts worldwide. The award has further solidified his status as one of the most notable models in the history of humanitarian work.

As a result of His Highness’ guidance and support, the UAE’s response to humanitarian crises has become an enduring feature around the world in recent years. This affirms that the country’s generosity knows no bounds, irrespective of geographical location, ethnicity, or religion.

Health

The journey of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been enriched with generosity, support, and initiatives aimed at advancing the healthcare sector worldwide, thereby enhancing international efforts to combat epidemics and diseases that pose a significant threat to human life.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, which was one of the most prominent contemporary health challenges to have swept the world, His Highness swiftly extended a helping hand both near and far by inaugurating hospitals, providing vaccines, establishing humanitarian cities, an
d sending aid to the world without discrimination or distinction.

The humanitarian aid provided by the UAE during the pandemic included more than 2,000 tonnes of medical supplies directed through approximately 200 flights to 135 countries around the world.

The UAE set up field hospitals and mobile clinics during the pandemic in countries such as Sudan, Guinea, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkmenistan, and others. Additionally, aid was sent to 117 countries from the warehouses of international organisations located in the Dubai International Humanitarian City. Furthermore, a donation of US$ 10 million in-kind assistance was made by the UAE to the World Health Organization (WHO).

At the same time, the UAE has continued its multifaceted efforts and initiatives to achieve a world free from neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that affect the lives of over 1.6 billion people. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan launched the Reaching the Last Mile Fund (RLMF) in 2017, a multi-donor fund
with allocations of approximately US$ 500 million to support efforts to eradicate two NTDs in Africa.

Since its inception, the Fund has provided over 100 million treatments and contributed to the training of 1.3 million healthcare workers in close partnership with the countries where NTDs are endemic.

During the Reaching the Last Mile Forum held on the sidelines of COP28 last December, the UAE joined leaders from African countries and global partners in pledging over US$ 777 million to combat NTDs.

Furthermore, as part of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s initiative to eradicate polio worldwide, the UAE provided Pakistan with approximately 667.5 million doses of the polio vaccine from 2014 until the end of 2022, benefitting 17 million children.

The establishment of the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE) in 2019 by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, served as a crucial addition to the global health sector and its
efforts to accelerate the eradication of preventable infectious diseases, particularly malaria, polio, NTDs, lymphatic filariasis, and river blindness.

Operation Chivalrous Knight

In February 2023, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan initiated Operation Chivalrous Knight 2 to support the people of Syria and Trkiye following the devastating earthquake that affected both countries.

The operation, which lasted until 13th July of the same year, was one of the most successful unified operations carried out by UAE entities. Its priorities were determined in coordination with authorities in the affected countries, embodying the UAE’s prominent humanitarian approach in line with the directives of its leadership to support communities around the world.

The operation resulted in the rescue of dozens from under the rubble and the treatment of 13,463 cases. Additionally, humanitarian assistance amounting to 15,164 tonnes was provided through an air bridge, which organised 260 flights carrying 6,
912 tonnes of emergency aid, including tents, essential food, and medicines. Furthermore, 8,252 tonnes of humanitarian aid were transported using 4 cargo ships to deliver relief and reconstruction materials to the affected areas.

On 5th November of the same year, His Highness ordered the commencement of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 to support the Palestinian people in Gaza due to the critical circumstances they have faced.

As part of the operation, total relief aid provided by the UAE to the Palestinian people until 8th May of the following year amounted to approximately 22,627 tonnes, transported via 224 cargo planes and 803 trucks, in addition to 3 cargo ships carrying aid.

The UAE inaugurated a comprehensive field hospital in the Gaza Strip and sent a floating hospital off the coast of Al Arish to treat Palestinian patients. Additionally, it established 6 desalination stations with a production capacity of 1.2 million gallons per day and provided 5 bakeries with a production capacity of 12,500-15,000 l
oaves per hour.

His Highness directed the hosting of one thousand Palestinians from Gaza suffering from cancer of all age groups to receive treatment and healthcare in UAE hospitals. He also directed the hosting of one thousand Palestinian children accompanied by their families from Gaza and the provision of all necessary healthcare until their recovery and return.

The UAE launched a campaign to aid Palestinians affected by the war in Gaza under the slogan ‘Tarahum for Gaza’, involving humanitarian and charity institutions, volunteering centres, the private sector, and all segments of society in the country, as well as the media.

Natural Disasters

The UAE’s response to aid those affected by natural disasters worldwide embodies a key element of the UAE’s humanitarian work under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Under His Highness’ directives, the UAE swiftly provided humanitarian and relief aid in 2023 to those affected by Storm Daniel in Libya and the earthquake
in some areas of Morocco. The UAE’s relief and humanitarian efforts also covered a significant number of countries, such as Sudan, Somalia, Mozambique, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Chad, and others facing natural disasters or humanitarian emergencies.

On 19th May 2022, His Highness directed the provision of urgent humanitarian aid worth AED 35 million to Somalia to support development efforts. In June of the same year, His Highness ordered the operation of an airlift carrying comprehensive food baskets, essential medical supplies, and a medical team, along with a field hospital, to aid victims of the earthquake in Afghanistan.

In response to the needs of the Palestinian people, His Highness directed the allocation of US$ 25 million on 9th July 2022 to support Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem to expand its medical services. Additionally, in August of the same year, His Highness ordered the provision of urgent humanitarian aid worth AED 25 million to those affected and displaced due to floods in Sudan. He als
o directed the provision of urgent relief to Pakistan, which witnessed floods and displacement in several regions.

On 18th October 2022, His Highness directed the provision of additional humanitarian relief worth US$ 100 million to civilians affected by the crisis in Ukraine, emphasising his belief in the importance of humanitarian solidarity, especially in times of conflict.

Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative

In line with the directives of His Highness, the UAE launched the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative in February 2024 to address the urgent global challenge of water scarcity.

The initiative aims to raise awareness of the seriousness of the water scarcity crisis on an international level while accelerating the development of innovative technological solutions to address it. Additionally, it seeks to test the effectiveness of these solutions in confronting this escalating global challenge.

Moreover, the initiative strives to enhance cooperation with partners and stakeholders worldwide to advance tec
hnological innovation in addressing water scarcity and expand international cooperation. It also seeks to increase investments aimed at overcoming this challenge for the benefit of current and future generations.

On 1st March, a partnership was announced between the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative and the American XPRIZE foundation to launch the XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition, funded by the initiative with US$ 150 million. The competition includes prizes totalling US$ 119 million to incentivise innovators around the world to submit effective and sustainable solutions and develop them to enhance the efficiency and affordability of water desalination technologies.

Zayed’s Legacy

On 29th March 2024, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan directed the launch of the Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Initiative worth AED 20 billion, allocated for humanitarian activities in the most vulnerable communities around the world. This coincided with Zayed Humanitarian Day and the 20th anniversary of the
passing of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The launch of the initiative aims to reinforce the humanitarian values embodied by the late Sheikh Zayed and extend his humanitarian legacy and the values of generosity and giving that he embraced in supporting humanitarian work worldwide.

This global humanitarian initiative seeks to enhance the quality of life for communities in need to build a prosperous future and achieve sustainable development. It also reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to the approach of the late Sheikh Zayed in contributing to community building and supporting vulnerable groups, thereby benefiting millions of people.

Source: Emirates News Agency

A citizen was injured today, Friday, by rubber-coated metal bullets, and another was arrested during an Israeli occupation forces storming east of Nablus.

Security sources reported that a number of occupation jeeps stormed the east of the city of Nablus, where confrontations took place between the old and new Askar camps, during which the occupation forces fired live and metal bullets, tear gas bombs, and stun grenades, which led to the injury of a citizen with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head. .

The sources added that the occupation soldiers raided a house in the old Askar camp, searched it and tampered with its contents, and arrested the young man, Amir Al-Amir

Source: Maan News Agency

Israeli occupation forces have committed four new massacres against families in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, leaving 31 Palestinians martyred and 56 others injured, according to health authorities.

Several Palestinian victims were still trapped under the rubble of devastated houses as ambulance and civil defense teams faced difficulties in reaching them due to continued Israeli occupation shelling, they said in a press release.

Meanwhile, a 20-year-old Palestinian died of wounds he had sustained in an Israeli occupation shooting in eastern Nablus in the West Bank a couple of weeks ago, they said.

The number of Palestinian martyrs killed since the start of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip on October 7th, 2023, has thus jumped to 35,303, while 79,261 others have been wounded.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

After Friday prayers, the masses of Tulkarm Governorate mourned the body of the martyr Karim Raeq Abdel Raouf Amir (23 years old), in the town of Balaa, east of the governorate.

The funeral procession began from the Martyr Thabet Thabet Governmental Hospital in Tulkarm, amid loud blares and angry national chants denouncing the crimes of the Israeli occupation, and demanding an end to the aggression and massacres against our people.

The mourners roamed the streets of the city towards Shweika roundabout, before the body was transported by vehicles to his hometown of Bala’a, towards his family’s home, for his parents and relatives to pay their last respects to him. Then prayers were held over his pure body in the courtyard of the Bala’a Martyrs Boys’ Secondary School, before he was buried in the Martyrs’ Cemetery. In the town.

The martyr Amir was martyred as a result of his critical injury after the occupation forces stormed the town at dawn on Friday, amid heavy live bullets

Source: Maan News Agency

A new analysis from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released on Friday finds that legal protection of the environment varies widely by country and region in terms of crimes covered and punishments given, and highlights priority areas for consideration to strengthen prevention and curb crimes that affect the environment.

In “The Landscape of Criminalization”, Part One of the first-ever Global Analysis of Crimes that Affect the Environment, UNODC examines how 193 UN Member States criminalize actions that harm the environment – and how such offences are penalized – across nine environment areas, namely deforestation and logging, air pollution, noise pollution, soil pollution, water pollution, fishing, waste, and wildlife.

“Our review shows that there has been progress globally in advancing environmental protection laws, but legislation and enforcement remain uneven, offering criminal groups opportunities to exploit gaps in responses,” said Angela Me, Chief of Research and Analysis at UNODC.

“Stronge
r legislation can help to deter potential and repeat offenders and also widen the range of investigative tools and resources for law enforcement to stop crimes that affect the environment,” she said.

Wildlife and waste are the areas where most countries (164 and 160, respectively) include at least one related criminal offence in their national legislation. In contrast, soil and noise pollution (99 and 97, respectively) are the areas where the fewest countries have criminal provisions.

At least 85 percent of UN Member States criminalize offences against wildlife and at least 45 per cent punish some of these offences with four years or more in prison, which constitutes a serious crime under the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), according to the analysis.

The level of protection afforded to the environment – as well as the penalties imposed – are closely related to the conditions in each country or region.

For example, 43 percent of countries in Oceania regard illegal fishing as a
serious crime (meaning it is punished with four years or more in prison), in contrast to just two per cent of countries in Europe. 12 out of 18 countries in Eastern Africa, meanwhile, regard wildlife offences as serious crimes, it added.

Africa and Asia have the highest average percentage of Member States with penalties meeting the serious crime definition, indicating that the legislation is not necessarily ‘weak’, as is commonly stated, but that there is a lack of enforcement of the legislation, it noted.

The report noted many areas for improvement of environmental legislation and penalties. Member States could consider increasing penalties to enable Member States to utilize UNTOC provisions for international cooperation (such as extradition or mutual legal assistance.) Countries could also consider improving legislation allowing for confiscation of the instrumentalities or proceeds of environmental offences. The current lack of such provisions may be leading to the prosecution of minor offenders, rather t
han the large economic interests that often drive crimes that affect the environment, it said.

Finally, the report underscored the need for more data collection on these crimes, enforcement of legislation, and more research on the penalties administered and the effects of these. Only with this information can it be understood which combinations of criminalization and restorative approaches are most affective at preventing crimes that affect the environment.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Naeem Al-Aboudi, confirmed today, Friday, that Iraq provides a positive environment to attract international students through the (Study in Iraq) initiative.

A statement from the ministry stated, “Al-Aboudi discussed with the head of the Turkish Scholarships Authority, Abdullah Eren, the development of mutual study programs and the empowerment of Iraqi students in specializations directly related to sustainable development.”

Al-Aboudi stressed in a joint meeting, “the importance of scientific and academic coordination and cultural relations between Iraqi and Turkish universities and the development of mutual scholarship programs in light of the contexts of understanding adopted by both sides,” noting, “Iraq provides a positive environment to attract international students through the Study in Iraq initiative.”

In turn, Eren expressed his ‘thanks to the Minister of Higher Education for the direct interest in developing cultural, scientific and acade
mic cooperation between the two countries.’

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The EU announced Friday that it has sent a new aid shipment from Cyprus to Gaza via the Maritime Corridor, and the newly constructed US pier to transport relief supplies.

The EU Commission announced in a statement that Romania has sent over 88,000 cans of food to Palestinians in need through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, adding that it is covering the transport costs for this delivery.

Additionally, an EU logistics hub has been established in Cyprus to facilitate the ongoing flow of aid to Gaza.

The statement emphasized that the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre remains in close contact with Member States and humanitarian partners to mobilize offers of assistance via the Maritime Corridor, aiming to increase aid supplies.

The new maritime aid delivery adds to over 2,000 metric tonnes from EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flights and Âpound 193 million in EU humanitarian funding for Palestinians this year.

The EU emphasized that the maritime corridor complements rather than replaces existing lan
d routes to Gaza, like those through the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings.

However, it urged the Israeli occupation to provide continuous access via new routes, such as the Erez crossing and the Port of Ashdod.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

The leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada Al-Sadr, called for an official holiday by the Iraqi Parliament for Eid Al-Ghadir.

Al-Sadr said in his speech, ‘If Parliament votes on this, we are grateful, and if they do not vote, let them face Muhammad and Ali as an opponent.’

He added, “If Parliament does not vote, it will face an opponent from Muhammad and his family, Sunnis and Shiites

Source: National Iraqi News Agency