UK Government contributes AED5 million to 'Reaching the Last Mile Find'

ABU DHABI, 21st May, 2018 (WAM) -- The UK Government has announced that it is contributing AED5 million (GBP1 million) to the 'Reaching the Last Mile Fund', an initiative generously led by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The announcement was made by the UK Minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt during a meeting with Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation. Following the meeting, Burt said, "I am delighted to be able to announce that the UK will be contributing GBP1 million to the Reaching the Last Mile Fund to help control or eliminate neglected tropical diseases so that people do not suffer any longer from needless pain and disfigurement." "The UK and UAE are both generous contributors of humanitarian aid, and this is an excellent example of how our countries can work together to use our humanitarian and development expertise to improve lives of the world’s poorest people," he added. The Reaching the Last Mile Fund is personally supported by His Highness Mohammed bin Zayed and the Gates Foundation. It is working in seven priority countries - Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sudan and Yemen - and on two diseases, river blindness and lymphatic filariasis.