Sheikha Fatima a leading international supporter of refugees: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

DUBAI, 26th April, 2018 (WAM) -- Dr. Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Red Crescent, ERC, and Filippo Grandi, United Nations, UN, High Commissioner for Refugees, discussed ways of promoting the programmes of the Fund for Refugee Women that was established through a generous initiative by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, who is also the Honorary President of the ERC. The Fund for Refugee Women aims to enhance the lives of refugee women and children, and provide assistance to face challenges of displacement and conflict. Their discussion took place during their meeting today in Dubai, in the presence of several officials. Dr. Al Mazrouei stressed that the fund is a leading initiative and is part of the UAE’s efforts, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to ease the suffering of refugees around the world. He added that the country’s initiatives are supported by the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and monitored by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the ERC. Dr. Al Mazrouei went on to say that Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, established the fund in 2000, and was well aware of the situation of refugee women and children in camps and areas of conflicts, as they are the most affected groups, which is why she adopted many initiatives to support them while highlighting the fund’s role in providing better protection, both inside and outside of refugee camps. During the meeting, the ERC and UNHCR representatives discussed a range of topics of mutual concern in the area of supporting and protecting refugees around the world, as well as promoting their humanitarian partnership and the fund’s programmes through implementing further projects, which aim to enhance the lives of women refugees and ease their suffering. They also discussed how to attract support for the fund’s programmes and development projects in vulnerable areas, and agreed to increase its number of beneficiaries. Grandi praised Sheikha Fatima’s recent donation to the fund, which will help to improve its operations and programmes while adding that she is a leading international supporter of refugee issues and the efforts of the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, to ease the suffering of refugees and improve their lives. He added that Sheikh Fatima’s giving is reflected by the fund’s establishment while highlighting her significant humanitarian role and the fund’s efforts to provide better lives for women and children who are victims of crises and disasters. Last week in Abu Dhabi, the ERC and the UNHCR signed an agreement to implement the "Supporting Southern Sudan Refugees to Resume their Lives in Uganda Project," which will cost US$1 million, as a grant from the fund, and aims to provide refugees from Southern Sudan with opportunities to work in agricultural and livestock projects. The project is predicted to benefit 41,660 refugees, with 60 percent of them being women.