H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, has stressed that the UAE, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, plays a pivotal role in international efforts to curb serious refuge repercussions on millions of people worldwide. 

He reiterated the country's commitment to supporting the humanitarian positions and refugees' issues to achieve security and stability in the conflict zones, thanks to the directives of the UAE President, and the support of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme commander of the Armed Forces. 

In a statement on World Refugee Day, which falls on Monday, Sheikh Hamdan said that the UAE will remain the protective shield of refugees against harsh refuge repercussions to ease their suffering and protect their human dignity. He called on the international community to make further efforts to reduce the refuge phenomenon and shoulder its responsibility to provide a better life for victims of such circumstances. 

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed underlined the UAE's keenness to provide permanent care for greater numbers of the refugees to enhance their ability to cope with emergency conditions and to support voluntary programmes for refugees to return to their home countries, and ensure stability in their regions of origin. 

He said the suffering of the refugees due to exceptional circumstances, requires more from donors to meet their needs, double international efforts and strengthen partnership among the humanitarian organisations to offer more aid. 

"To support the refugees in their plight, is a humanitarian duty that does not stop at borders of certain countries, because humanity is greater than the borders. The UAE's unwavering support to the refugees is a true reflection of its good intention towards humanity worldwide," Sheikh Hamdan added. 

He referred to the role of Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) in assisting and protecting the refugees from deprivation, citing that the ERC set up camps for the refugees and displaced people in Yemen, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Jordan, Pakistan and Somalia. He also referred to the ERC efforts in Jordan and Iraq. 

On December 4, 2000, the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution No. 55/76 decided that June 20, each year would be celebrated as World Refugee Day. In this resolution, the General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

Source: WAM