UAE responds to Haitian earthquake disaster

WASHINGTON, DC (2 February 2010) — Upon witnessing the destruction caused by the earthquake on January 12, the UAE government and UAE foundations rapidly mobilized to deliver food and shelter supplies to the affected region. As part of the ongoing initial phase of UAE assistance to Haiti, the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Humanitarian Foundation recently announced that it will buy an additional 500 tons of emergency relief supplies directly from the local market in the Dominican Republic for distribution in Haiti.

In the second phase of its contribution to the relief operations, the UAE is preparing to commit additional resources as initial international efforts are evaluated and new needs are identified by officials in Port-au-Prince and international relief organizations.

In addition to the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Humanitarian Foundation commitment, other steps that the UAE Government and UAE institutions have already taken to support the international relief effort include:

• Per the directive of UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, three cargo planes distributed a total of 145 tons of medicine, food and shelter supplies among the Haitian quake victims over the past two weeks.

• The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has sent 38 tons of aid items from Dubai.

• UAE institutions are supporting a number of efforts to establish health care delivery systems for survivors in the quake zone, particularly near the Haiti-Dominican Republic border.

o The UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA), the country’s top humanitarian organization, is establishing and equipping a field hospital near the border with the Dominican Republic. In a sign of close cooperation, Haitian President René Préval met with the RCA delegation in Port-au-Prince to coordinate efforts.

o The Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Charitable Foundation was among the first international aid providers to deliver assistance to hospitals in the Dominican Republic, enabling medical staff there to better treat people injured in the Haiti earthquake.

• RCA has provided 550 tents and more than 4,000 blankets to be distributed to families who have lost their homes.

• Dubai Cares, a Dubai-based philanthropic organization, will provide educational assistance to 200,000 primary school children affected by the earthquake. Through its partners on the ground in Haiti, Dubai Cares will provide basic shelter for the children, clean water and sanitation, followed by school supplies and timely conversion of the shelters into classrooms.

• HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, went on a “mercy mission” to Haiti, delivering 90 tons of relief supplies and meeting with earthquake survivors from the Arab World.

• The Abu Dhabi Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) held a high-value auction to raise money for the UAE humanitarian missions in Haiti.

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