UAE’s timely help in global fight against hunger

When it comes to generosity, the UAE has no match.

The path of benevolence has effectively been laid down by the founding father of the nation, late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. To this day, his generous legacy has been kept alive, crossing all borders and barriers to touch the hearts of people in almost every country.

In the latest praiseworthy act, the UAE has partnered with UN World Food Programme to provide a global lifeline to fight COVID19.

The sincere expression of gratitude by David Beasley, Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, WFP, to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his relentless efforts to fight disease and hunger across the world highlights how the UAE remains totally committed to global solidarity in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘’Thanks to my good friend @MohamedBinZayed… The UAE continues to break ground in the fight against COVID19 & hunger around the world,” Beasley has tweeted. “Our new air bridge is a great example of coming together when we need it most. When WFP & the UAE join forces, we save lives.’’

The UAE in partnership with the WFP has launched an international air bridge operation that will provide a lifeline of essential health and humanitarian supplies to nations around the world grappling with the impact of COVID-19.

The UAE will dedicate a fleet of three aircraft to enable the movement of life-saving cargo and personnel where they are needed most until the end of the year.

On his part, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has underscored the UAE’s commitment to cooperating with the WFP in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sheikh Abdullah has clearly highlighted the UAE’s contributions to the global response to COVID-19, outlining the country’s support for the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan and regular contributions to World Health Organisation operations in China, Somalia, and Ethiopia, among others.

Dubai’s International Humanitarian City, IHC, has processed more than 132 shipments of aid to 98 countries.

More than 80 per cent of the World Health Organisation’s distribution of personal protective equipment worldwide has transited through the IHC.

As Sheikh Abdullah pointed out, to date, the UAE has provided more than 455 tonnes of aid to over 41 countries, assisting nearly 455,000 medical professionals in the process.

Worldwide, the pandemic has left the working poor struggling to survive.

From India to Argentina, millions who were already struggling to get by on the economic margins have had their lives made even harder by pandemic lockdowns, layoffs and the loss of a chance to earn from a hard day’s work.

More than four out of five people in the global labour force of 3.3 billion have been hit by full or partial workplace closures, according to the International Labour Organization, which says 1.6 billion workers in the informal economy stand in immediate danger of having their livelihoods destroyed.

The toll for families is hunger and poverty that are either newfound or even more grinding than before.

For millions of such people, securing the next meal means hustling to find a way to sell, clean, drive or work despite the huge risk.

The UAE unquestionably deserves all praise for doing its best to alleviate humanitarian suffering and bolster the efforts of fragile communities to combat COVID-19.