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Government of the United Arab Emirates^

UAE HUMANITARIAN AID AND EFFORTS TO COMBAT COVID-19

United States

The UAE Government and Etihad Airways worked with the US Mission to the UAE to repatriate 25 American citizens who were unable to travel due to the coronavirus outbreak. Additionally, UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and conveyed a message of support and solidarity from HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The UAE Embassy in Washington was an initial donor to the Children’s National Hospital, which launched DC’s first drive-up / walk-up COVID-19 testing location for children and young patients. The UAE is providing charitable support to Chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, which is distributing 50,000 packaged fresh meals to communities in need. The UAE Embassy is also supporting Feed the Fight, an organization distributing meals to healthcare workers and first responders, and Good Food Markets, which is providing groceries to Washington, DC residents in need.

United Kingdom

The UAE turned ExCeL London, the capital’s largest venue for exhibitions and conferences wholly owned by Abu Dhabi Government, into an emergency field hospital for the treatment of patients infected with COVID-19. Named the NHS Nightingale Hospital, the new facility will have a capacity of 4,000 beds and will be able to provide a comprehensive range of medical support facilities. The UAE is covering the costs associated with the operation of this center and is providing the center rent-free.

On April 5, the UAE facilitated the repatriation of 345 British tourists visiting the UAE. In response, British Ambassador to the UAE Patrick Moody said, “I also wanted to give a huge thank you to Emirates, to the Emirate authorities who have helped make this happen…”

South Korea

On March 19, the UAE facilitated the evacuation of 80 individuals from Iran in response to a request by the South Korean Government. Among the evacuated individuals were 74 South Korean nationals residing there, in addition to 6 Iranian family members. The individuals were flown to the UAE and then traveled onward to Incheon International Airport in South Korea.

China

Following the initial COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, the UAE provided medical supplies, including facemasks and gloves, to China. On January 26, HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, tweeted: “We’re closely following the Chinese government’s efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus. We’re confident in their ability to overcome this crisis. The UAE is ready to provide all support to China and cooperate with the international community to tackle this virus.”

On March 4, as part of the UAE’s Homeland of Humanity Initiative, the UAE evacuated 215 people of different nationalities from China’s Hubei Province to the Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi, where they received the necessary medical evaluation and care.

Iran

In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the UAE sent an aircraft carrying 7.5 tones of medical supplies, as well as five WHO experts, to Iran on March 3 to help 15,000 healthcare workers and 100,000 workers. In a March 15 call with Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed the UAE’s support to the Iranian people as they manage this crisis.

In the second supply of medical equipment to Iran on March 17, the UAE sent over 33 tones of critical medical supplies, including gloves and surgical masks, as well as other protective equipment. Aid to Iran was delivered with the aim of helping 33,000 healthcare workers.

Commenting on the aid dispatched HE Reem bin Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said: “The UAE’s efforts in carrying out a second medical aid flight to Iran are consistent with our country’s founding humanitarian principles, which guide our belief that providing life-saving assistance to those experiencing distress is essential to serving the common good.”

Greece

The UAE donated 13 tones of medical supplies to Greece on March 26, consisting mostly of special coveralls for medical protection, medical gloves, and sanitizers. In a statement, Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis remarked: “The friendship and trust we share with the United Arab Emirates are dear, and especially during these difficult times the solidarity of our allies is evident – also shown through the delivery of valuable medical supplies today.”

Serbia

The UAE donated a total of 10 tones of medical equipment to Belgrade on March 29. The first part of the donation from the UAE included 13,750 protective suits, 15,000 hospital suits, 500,000 gloves, 30,000 shoe protectors, 20,000 masks, and 6,000 sanitizers. Ventilators were slated to arrive in the next delivery. The shipment was received by Serbian Minister of Defense Aleksandar Vulin, Minister of Health Zlatibor Loncar, and UAE Ambassador to Serbia Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri.

Seychelles

The UAE donated 13 tones of medical supplies to the Seychelles Government to assist their fight against COVID-19. The humanitarian aid included coveralls, gowns, gloves, masks, and other medical items. The shipment from the UAE arrived on March 25.

Croatia

The UAE donated 13 tones of medical equipment, including masks, to Croatia following a recent devastating earthquake on March 22 that has been described as the strongest to strike the country in 140 years.

Malaysia

The UAE sent medical equipment and supplies to Kuala Lumpur on March 29. Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and UAE Ambassador to Malaysia Khalid Al Ghaith came together to share best practices in addressing the pandemic.

Afghanistan

The UAE dispatched an urgent medical aid shipment to Afghanistan containing testing units and equipment to examine thousands of people.

Brazil

On April 1, UAE airline Emirates flew 500,000 COVID-19 test kits from China to Sao Paulo. It was the first of two special Emirates SkyCargo charters carrying medical supplies to Brazil.

Pakistan

The UAE delivered a first batch of crucial medical supplies to Pakistan on April 2. UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Alzaabi tweeted: “Our commitment for huma-nitarian approaches and principles to help people in delicate situation has no limits.”

On April 5, the second batch of 11 tones of medical supplies provided by the UAE arrived in Islamabad.

Italy

A UAE plane carrying approximately 13 tones of medical supplies was dispatched to Italy on April 5 to assist the country in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, benefiting over 13,000 healthcare professionals.

Kazakhstan

The UAE sent 13 tones of medical supplies to Kazakhstan on April 6 to bolster the country’s response to COVID-19, benefiting over 13,000 healthcare professionals in the process.

Colombia

The UAE sent 10 tones of medical supplies to Colombia on April 8 to aid the country’s response to COVID-19, benefiting over 10,000 healthcare professionals. The flight also repatriated 63 Colombian citizens from the UAE.

Ukraine

The UAE sent 13 tones of medical aid to Ukraine on April 10 to support over 13,000 healthcare professionals. The flight also repatriated 113 Ukrainian citizens from the UAE.

Bulgaria

On April 12, Bulgarian Minister of Economy HE Emil Karanikolov met with UAE Minister of State HE Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh in Abu Dhabi to discuss further cooperation between both countries. An exchange of goods between both countries also took place.

Ethiopia

On April 13, a UAE aid plane carrying approximately 33 tones of medical supplies was dispatched to Ethiopia to assist approximately 33,000 healthcare professionals. The aid plane transported 15 tones of aid provided by the UAE to Ethiopia, as well as 3 tones provided by the UAE to the African Union and 15 tones of aid provided by the World Health Organization to help Ethiopia and 30 other African countries combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cyprus

On April 14, the UAE sent an aid plane carrying 8 tones of medical supplies to Cyprus, benefiting nearly 10,000 healthcare professionals in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Somalia

In collaboration with the World Health Organization, the UAE dispatched an aid plane carrying approximately 27 tones of medical supplies to Somalia on April 14. The aid, which consisted of 7 tones from the UAE and 20 tones from WHO, will help approximately 27,000 healthcare workers in combating COVID-19.

Mauritania

The UAE sent a plane carrying 18 metric tons of medical and food aid to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on April 19, benefiting approximately 10,000 healthcare workers.

South Africa

The UAE sent an aid plane containing 7 metric tons of medical supplies to South Africa on April 20, benefiting approximately 7,000 medical professionals.

UAE COVID-19 NEWS

Sunday 12 – April – 2020

The UAE has supplied 11 metric tons of aid to Ukraine in the fight against COVID-19. The shipment, which contained hundreds of thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment, will benefit over 10,000 healthcare workers. Bulgarian Minister of Economy Emil Karanikolov met with UAE Minister of State H.E. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh in Abu Dhabi to discuss further cooperation between both countries. An exchange of goods between both countries also took place.

Abu Dhabi Investment Office has invested $100 million to attract four agriculture technology companies as part of government efforts to create hundreds of high-skilled jobs and boost domestic agricultural production, further bolstering the UAE’s food security.

The UAE is researching convalescent plasma therapy, using blood plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to explore a possible treatment.

The UAE has extended the suspension of prayers in all places of worship across the country until further notice.

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H.E. Dr. Anwar Gargash has discussed the COVID-19 situation in Syria, Libya, and Lebanon with respective UN envoys.

The UAE has opened 13 new drive-through testing centers across the UAE. Built over a period of 10 days, each center can test approximately 600 people daily. The National Home Testing Program for People of Determination was also launched to ensure adequate access to testing for all members of the public.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, held a video call with national team leaders handling the COVID-19 response to follow up on their work and safety while offering them all necessary support.

Etihad Airways will be operating special flights from Abu Dhabi to Jakarta, Manila, Melbourne, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, London and Zurich up until 21 April.

Monday 20 – April – 2020

Health authorities in Abu Dhabi have developed an app to identify anyone who may have come in contact with those testing positive for COVID-19. The app, called TraceCovid, uses Bluetooth to pick up signals from nearby phones with the app installed.

10,000 workers are being screened for free each day in Abu Dhabi’s industrial district as the UAE intensifies its testing campaign.

The UAE has sent 18 tones of aid to Mauritania and 7 tones of medical aid to South Africa. To date, the UAE has donated 260 tones of aid to 24 countries since the start of the crisis.

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways plans a partial resumption of passenger flights from May 1 with the intention of gradually returning to normal operations as the global situation improves.

The UAE began conducting special flights to repatriate more than 3,000 passengers from the UAE to Pakistan this week. To date, the UAE has facilitated the repatriation of 22,900 foreigners to their home countries through 127 air repatriations. 27 repatriation operations are in the pipeline for the coming days. The UAE has also worked with 43 countries to repatriate 2,286 UAE citizens and residents through 86 land and air evacuations.

The UAE has launched the ’10 Million Meals’ campaign, the nation’s largest food distribution drive, to support low-income families and individuals affected by COVID-19.

Further Reading

1. Coronavirus: New app to help track Covid-19 cases in UAE https://www.thenational.ae/uae/health/ coronavirus-new-app-to-help-track-covid-19-cases-in-uae-1.1007915

2. Coronavirus: 10,000 labourers per day tested in Abu Dhabi’s industrial district https://www.thenational. ae/uae/health/coronavirus-10-000-labourers-per-day-tested-in-abu-dhabi-s-industrial-district-1.1008004

3. Etihad has full support of state owner, will resume flights in May – CEO https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-etihad-airways/etihad-has-full-support-of-state-owner-will-resume-flights-in-m ay-ceo-idUKKCN21Y17L?il=0

4. COVID-19: More special flights from UAE to Pakistan announced to repatriate stranded passengers https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/covid-19-more-special-flights-from-uae-to-pakistan-announced-to-repatriate-stranded-passen gers-1.71061341

5. Sheikh Mohammed announces campaign for 10 million Ramadan meals https://www.khaleejtimes. com/news/government/sheikh-mohammed-announces-campaign-for-10-million-ramadan-meals

6. Many of UAE’s museums and galleries can now be viewed online https://twitter.com/UAEEmbassy US/status/1250886625816649731?s=20

7. Dubai sets up disinfection booth https://twitter.com/TheNationalUAE/status/1250723105099485185?s=20