IRAQ: UAE will continue delivering humanitarian aid even during war

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is by the United Arab Emirates news agency (WAM)

ABU DHABI, Mar 20 2003 (IPS) - A United Arab Emirates (UAE) newspaper said today that the UAE Red Crescent Society (RCS) would continue its humanitarian program to the Iraqi people even in case of war.

Commenting editorially on the issue, the Abu Dhabi-based ‘Al Ittihad’ said: – The objective of the initiatives made by many parties was an attempt to solve the Iraqi crisis in a peaceful manner, keeping in view that the Iraqi people had suffered for decades from brutality of the Iraqi regime.

ôThe Iraqi people will also be the receiving end of the expected US-military campaign against Iraq.

ôThe courageous initiative tabled by the UAE during Sharm El Sheikh Summit was aimed to save the brotherly Iraqi people from destruction and suffering resulting from the expected war and to secure a better life for them free from fear and humiliation.

ôPeople all over the world have expressed sympathy and solidarity for the Iraqi people and not for the regime. The humanitarian organizations have shown their readiness to extend help and relief assistance to the Iraqi people at this difficult moment.

ôIraqi people have always been close to their UAE brothers and the UAE RCS was always among the first to offer humanitarian assistance world-wide to war and natural disaster victims, therefore it is natural now that Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and RCS Chairman, announced that steps should be taken to offer relief supplies and humanitarian assistance for the Iraqi people to ease their sufferings as a result of the current developments in Iraq.

ôThe UAE RCS will continue its humanitarian program by offering assistance including food, medicines and other aid to the Iraqi people through the Iraqi Red Crescent Society and UNICEF offices in Iraq.

ôSheikh Hamdan has also directed the mobilization of the staff and means of the UAE RCS to implement urgent relief requirements of the Iraqi people.

ôThe Iraqi people deserves every possible help and support from the Arab people, until the day comes when they will be able to lead a comfortable life in freedom, security, stability and prosperity," the paper concluded.