DUBAI // The UN’s refugee agency says it is not disappointed by the UAE’s decision to distribute its own Dh1.1 billion in humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees.
But a visiting official from the UN relief organisation urged the Government to focus on shelter, health, education and psychological support of refugees and their children.
Last month, the UAE pledged US$300 million for hundreds of thousands of Syrians devastated by the continuing civil war.
“We are not disappointed if they are going on their own or if the assistance goes to the host governments,” said Imran Riza, the Saudi-based GCC representative for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
"Host governments need support … we welcome this and the UAE's recent donation of 2,000 pre-fabs [caravans] given to Jordan.
"We are asking them to continue what they are doing in distribution, planning and execution."
Mr Riza is in the Emirates on a two-day visit to follow up on the International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria held in Kuwait in January.
His comments come after Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said the aid would go directly to the Syrian people and would be supervised by the UAE.
Sheikh Mohammed said this would alleviate concerns raised by the Syrian opposition that the UN’s relief strategy had been drafted in cooperation with the regime in Damascus.
UN estimates show more than 750,000 Syrians fled to Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq last month. More than 50 per cent of them were children.
“The key areas are shelter, non-food items, water and sanitation, health, education and psycho-social support,” Mr Riza said.
“Half of the refugees are children and of this, 39 per cent are below the age of 11.
“In the sense, it is a children’s crisis. We see how traumatised the children are and hence, psycho-social support becomes very important.”
He called on the UAE and Arabian Gulf states to focus on the urgent needs of refugees and avoid duplication of aid.
“None of us have sufficient funds to meet everything. We have to be as efficient as possible by planning together,” Mr Riza said.
“The areas covered by one donor must not be duplicated, given that there are so many partners. Through good communication and coordination, we will be able to prioritise urgent needs.”
He said the regugees’ needs were intensifying, with up to 4,000 Syrians arriving in Jordan every night.
Lebanon has the largest number of refugees, with more than 245,000 registered or waiting to be registered, followed by Jordan, which is providing a haven for more than 235,000 Syrians.
The UN official said his agency shared a “close history” with the UAE and had worked closely with government organisations, particularly the Red Crescent Authority, in many conflict situations. International Humanitarian City in Dubai hosts the largest UNHCR emergency stockpile in the world.
Last year, 112 shipments were sent to countries such as Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq.
This included 25,800 tents, 312,110 blankets, 235,200 sleeping mats, 15,000 buckets, 81,760 kitchen sets, 83,300 jerrycans, 10,000 plastic sheets and 937 plastic rolls.
This year, the agency has so far sent 4,000 tents, 25,000 blankets, 15,000 sleeping mats, 6,336 kitchen sets, 6,200 jerrycans, 3,000 buckets, 120 plastic rolls, and four prefabricated warehouses, mostly to Jordan to support Syrian refugees.
pkannan@thenational.ae
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
A general guide to how active you are:
Less than 5,000 steps - sedentary
5,000 - 9,999 steps - lightly active
10,000 - 12,500 steps - active
12,500 - highly active
Company%20profile
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Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.
Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.
The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Company%20Profile
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if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
More coverage from the Future Forum
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
How to vote in the UAE
1) Download your ballot https://www.fvap.gov/
2) Take it to the US Embassy
3) Deadline is October 15
4) The embassy will ensure all ballots reach the US in time for the November 3 poll
