Emirates

UAE’s Warm Winter campaign aids 100,000 families during harsh winter

DUBAI, 10th January, 2022 (WAM) — Some 3.8 million refugees in the Middle East and millions of low-income families in Africa are facing dire conditions during one of the coldest winters in the region.

Refugees in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq are suffering cold temperatures that can reach below zero degrees.

Under this framework, the World’s Coolest Winter campaign partnered with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Food Banking Regional Network, to launch the Warm Winter campaign to support refugee and displaced persons and families in the Middle East and Africa. The initiative is a collaboration with Galaxy Racer’s Content Creator AboFlah.

Many refugees and displaced families depend on the UNHCR’s aid to overcome winter conditions and secure their children’s food and shelter needs.

Without emergency aid, many families will not be secure and warm this winter. This is the tenth consecutive winter they spend away from home while suffering extreme poverty.

The UNHCR operates in 130 countries to help refugees and host communities and adapt and find solutions amidst increasingly harsh conditions. The international organisation’s statistics show that the number of forced migrants in 2021 exceeded 84 million people.

According to UNHCR’s figures, the number of displaced persons inside Iraq amounted to over 1.2 million people at the end of 2020, in addition to over 280,000 refugees, including 242,000 Syrian refugees. Women account for 48 percent of the total number of refugees in Iraq.

A UNHCR report on Syrian refugees published in March 2021 pointed out that half of the Syrian population has become refugees. More than 13 million Syrians require humanitarian assistance and protection, while 12.4 million people or 60 percent of the population suffer from malnutrition.

The organisation, therefore, called on the international community to intensify its collective efforts to help Syrian refugees and host communities.

The UNHCR cooperates with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Lebanon, which is suffering dire economic conditions, addressing the rapid deterioration in the living conditions of Syrian refugees. All three organisations have highlighted their inability to provide the minimum required funding to protect refugees.

Nearly 60 percent of Syrian refugee families in Lebanon live in overcrowded conditions. Furthermore, two-thirds of refugee families had to reduce their food supplies or their number of meals per day. The WFP currently helps over 1.1 million Syrian refugees and 600,000 Lebanese citizens by providing financial and food aid every month.

In Jordan, the UNHCR allocated nearly US$35 million in 2021 in the form of winter aid for refugees. Jordan has hosted over 1.3 million Syrian refugees since the outbreak of the crisis in 2011, including 669,992 refugees in the UNHCR’s records until 17th August, 2021.

The United Nation’s (UN) figures point out nearly 1 percent of the world’s population have been forcibly displaced and unable to return home, primarily due to the effects of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected the world over the past two years.

In a previous statement, Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, stressed that forced displacement has become a reality and is no longer a temporary or short-term phenomenon. He added that millions of people live outside their countries because they cannot live in turbulent environments.

The refugee crisis is also threatening the future of entire generations, as nearly 374 million children are refugees, including many who are without their parents.

Nearly 80 percent of refugees and displaced persons worldwide live in areas suffering from food insecurity or severe malnutrition and facing environmental risks.

Over three-fourth of the world refugees, or 77 percent face long-term displacement; nearly 85 percent of refugees live in under-developed countries, while two-thirds of the world’s refugees belong to five countries – Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar.

In addition to the refugee crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the global economy and increased poverty worldwide in 2020. Subsequently, the World Bank’s figures indicate that the pandemic has pushed nearly 150 million to below the poverty line in 2021.

Emirates

Hamriyah and Deira ports record AED 12.133b in customs declaration value for first nine months of 2023

Dubai Customs plays a crucial role as the frontline defense for community security, consistently advancing its customs centers to safeguard and facilitate maritime trade. H.E. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs, CEO of
Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, recently visited Creek Customs Center, Deira Port, and Hamriyah Port Customs Center to evaluate progress and oversee ongoing efforts for continuous customs service development. During this visit, several executive directors, department heads, and customs center managers were present.

Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, accompanied by Rashid Al Dhabah Al Suwaidi, Acting Director of Seae Customs Centers Management, conducted inspections at Khor Customs Center, Deira Port, and Hamriyah Port Customs Center. Managers Abdulaziz Ibrahim Al Salman and Majid Salem Al Tawilah provided insights into workflow progress and accomplishments. Over the first nine months of this year, 62,454 customs declarations were processed, totaling AED 12.133 billion, with 19 seizures recorded during the same period. A visit to Hamriyah Port Customs Center showcased an advanced container X-ray inspection device, supporting increased inspection operations.

Subsequently, visits to Khor Customs Center and Deira Port highlighted achievements, including a notable seizure called the “Wheelhouse,” which successfully prevented an attempt to smuggle 243 kilograms of narcotics into the country. Commending customs employees, Ahmed Mahboob Musabih emphasized the pivotal role of maritime customs centers in ensuring community security and facilitating trade. The department collaborates for efficient goods clearance and acknowledges employee efforts
during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to the department’s support for global efforts to revive maritime navigation and international trade.

Musabih clarified that the department’s advanced capabilities in monitoring and inspection enable it to keep pace with the UAE’s rapid foreign trade growth. Supporting Dubai’s economic agenda D33, the department aims to double foreign trade and enhance economic partnerships with key global markets. Efforts to boost customs inspector efficiency continue through training courses, ensuring their ability to thwart smuggling attempts. Continuous development of X-ray scanning
devices and the K9 customs dog unit further enhances contraband control achievements. Rasheed Al-Dabah explained that the forthcoming period will witness the advancement of new initiatives and mechanisms in the realm of inspection and examination. These initiatives are grounded in a forward-looking perspective to introduce cutting-edge technologies utilized in examining maritime transport vessels, wooden ships, and ships engaged in fish trade.

He remarked, “Our endeavors are harmonized to enhance performance in sea customs centers, concurrently focusing on bolstering monitoring, tracking, and technical support activities to yield optimal outcomes through continuous and productive collaboration among all specialized teams within the department. The Customs centers in Deira, Al Khor, and
Hamriyah Port Customs Center shoulder their vital responsibilities in safeguarding society and facilitating maritime trade through Dubai Creek and Hamriyah Port, supporting the ongoing growth of the national economy.”

Emirates

Dubai Customs Hosts Sharjah Housing Delegation to Strengthen Government Communication Ties

Dubai Customs, represented by the Corporate Communication Department, warmly welcomed a delegation from the Sharjah Housing Department. The purpose of the visit was to familiarize the delegation with the duties and responsibilities of the
Corporate Communication Department and its affiliated divisions. The delegation also aimed to explore the awards received by the department, notably the recognition as the Best Government Communication Team in the Sharjah Government Communication Award for 2023.

Khalil Saqer bin Gharib, Director of Corporate Communication Department, along with department managers, extended a cordial reception to the Sharjah Housing delegation, which included Dr. Ahmed Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director of Government Communication, Nada Sivan, Head of the Public Relations and Events Department, and Hamad Saleh Al Hamadi, Head of
the New Media Department. Bin Gharib highlighted the department’s commitment to strengthening communication with government entities to exchange practical experiences and knowledge. The delegation was briefed on Dubai Customs exceptional performance in customs operations and other facets.

The meeting delved into discussions on potential avenues for collaboration, with the Sharjah Housing delegation. Emphasis was placed on the crucial role played by Dubai Customs’ Corporate Communication Department, customs administrations, and centers in ensuring security and safeguarding society. The delegation was presented with an overview of the department’s working mechanisms, awareness campaigns, events, and activities conducted internally and externally, aligning with Dubai Customs esteemed reputation.

Furthermore, the Sharjah Housing delegation acquired an understanding of the best media practices adopted by the Corporate Communication Department, showcasing its outstanding performance in enhancing knowledge and media dissemination to all partners. This has resulted in the department establishing and fortifying relationships with local and international media
entities. The presentation also encompassed the factors contributing to the department’s receipt of the award for the Best Government Communication Team in the Sharjah Government Communication Award.

Dr. Ahmed Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director of Government Communication at Sharjah Housing, expressed appreciation for the efforts of Dubai Customs Corporate Communication Department, acknowledging its excellence and significant contribution to enhancing the department’s standing. Dr. Al Nuaimi affirmed Sharjah Housing’s commitment to fostering ongoing visits and meetings with Dubai Customs, aiming to achieve the highest level of coordination and benefit from the Corporate Communication Departmen’s experience in securing numerous local and international awards.

Emirates

Zayed Sustainability Prize opens submissions for 2025 cycle

The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering global sustainability and humanitarian award, has officially announced that the 2025 cycle is now open for submissions. Submissions will be accepted until 23 June 2024 through the Prize’s online portal. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organisations (NPOs) and high schools with sustainable solutions are invited to submit an entry for consideration in one of the six categories of Heath, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools. Commenting on the launch of the 2025 submissions cycle, H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and COP28 President, said: “Since 2008, the
Zayed Sustainability Prize has honoured the legacy of Sheikh Zayed by fostering inclusive sustainable and humanitarian development around the world. In this decisive decade for climate change, these values are more important than ever. I am optimistic that the Prize will contribute to global climate action in line with the UAE Consensus, which will pave the
way toward an effective response to the Global Stocktake decision.” In response to the pressing climate crisis, and to further support the UAE’s efforts to accelerate practical solutions needed to drive climate action and uplift vulnerable communities around the world, the Prize has increased its funds from US $3.6 million to US $5.9 million. The Prize will reward US $1 million to each winner in the organisational categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action. Within the Global High Schools category, which is split into six world regions, each school can claim up to US $150,000 to start or further expand their project. The six world regions of the Global High Schools category are The Americas, Europe and Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub- Saharan Africa, South Asia, and East Asia and Pacific. The most recent Zayed Sustainability Prize winners were recognised at an Awards Ceremony held during COP28 UAE. To encourage a broader range of organisations and high schools to participate, the Prize will be accepting submissions in multiple languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, and Portuguese. This will ensure that innovative solutions from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds can be recognised. For the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories, organisations should prove that they are improving access to essential products or services in their targeted communities and are able to implement a long-term vision for better living and working conditions. For the Global High Schools category, projects should be led by students, and must demonstrate innovative approaches to address sustainability challenges. The evaluation of each submission to the Prize consists of a rigorous, three-stage process. First, due diligence is conducted on all submissions to ensure that they meet the Prize’s evaluation criteria of Impact, Innovation, and Inspiration. This identifies the qualified entries and results in the selection of eligible candidates. Following this, evaluations are undertaken by a Selection Committee consisting of category-specific panels of independent international experts. From this shortlist of candidates, the finalists are chosen and then sent to the Prize Jury who unanimously elect the winners across all six categories. Winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize will be announced at an Awards Ceremony during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).