ABU DHABI // Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Cooperation, has highlighted UAE aid efforts and called for stronger partnerships and responses to humanitarian crises.
Her comments came during a meeting on Monday with European Union ambassadors to the country, to discuss strengthening cooperation in development and crisis response.
Sheikha Lubna said nations needed to devise a common strategy and develop an agreed set of goals to face challenges currently facing the global community, reported Wam, the state news agency.
She also highlighted the UAE’s provision of Dh1.64 billion in humanitarian aid to Yemen for infrastructure development, including redevelopment of the airport and the port of Aden, electricity stations, 11 hospitals and medical centres, and 123 schools.
Further plans include the development of 154 schools and other projects for Yemenis.
In Syria, the UAE had provided Dh2.2bn by the end of last year, including work in the joint UAE-Jordan refugee camp and hospital.
Aid efforts have also included the provision of food, medicine, water, education facilities and shelter aid for Syrian refugees.
Sheikha Lubna also highlighted projects in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Egypt and Somalia, and redevelopment in Gaza.
Patrizio Fondi, ambassador of the EU delegation to the UAE, said the meeting was an opportunity to learn details about UAE humanitarian aid.
The ambassadors of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the UK attended.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
BIOSAFETY LABS SECURITY LEVELS
Biosafety Level 1
The lowest safety level. These labs work with viruses that are minimal risk to humans.
Hand washing is required on entry and exit and potentially infectious material decontaminated with bleach before thrown away.
Must have a lock. Access limited. Lab does not need to be isolated from other buildings.
Used as teaching spaces.
Study microorganisms such as Staphylococcus which causes food poisoning.
Biosafety Level 2
These labs deal with pathogens that can be harmful to people and the environment such as Hepatitis, HIV and salmonella.
Working in Level 2 requires special training in handling pathogenic agents.
Extra safety and security precautions are taken in addition to those at Level 1
Biosafety Level 3
These labs contain material that can be lethal if inhaled. This includes SARS coronavirus, MERS, and yellow fever.
Significant extra precautions are taken with staff given specific immunisations when dealing with certain diseases.
Infectious material is examined in a biological safety cabinet.
Personnel must wear protective gowns that must be discarded or decontaminated after use.
Strict safety and handling procedures are in place. There must be double entrances to the building and they must contain self-closing doors to reduce risk of pathogen aerosols escaping.
Windows must be sealed. Air from must be filtered before it can be recirculated.
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All material must be decontaminated.
Personnel must wear a positive pressure suit for protection. On leaving the lab this must pass through decontamination shower before they have a personal shower.
Entry is severely restricted to trained and authorised personnel. All entries are recorded.
Entrance must be via airlocks.
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