UAE global humanitarian leader: Mohammed

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today stressed that the UAE, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has become a global humanitarian leader and one of the world's most generous supporters of international humanitarian causes.

He was speaking during the launch of the high-hevel panel report on Humanitarian Financing Report to the United Nations Secretary-General, entitled "Too important to fail – addressing the humanitarian financing gap."

The report which tackles the issue of finding solutions to the growing gap between the increasing numbers of people in need of assistance and sufficient resources to provide relief, was launched here today in the presence of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Thanking the United Nations and its secretary-general for launching the report in the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed stressed that the UAE continues to establish itself as a global humanitarian capital.

Sheikh Mohammed thanked Mr Ban for his sincere efforts in serving just international issues and expressed appreciation for the UN's initiative to launch the international report from Dubai.
"This move shows that the international community has confidence in our state, and its international humanitarian efforts in particular," he said.

"Joint international humanitarian action should be boosted to bridge the global shortfall in humanitarian assistance by improving the efficiency of humanitarian work, involving the private sector and establishing good governance in countries in need of assistance," he added.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance; Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UN Messenger of Peace and Chairperson of the International Humanitarian City; Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development of the UAE; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State and Chairperson of Dubai Cares, and others were present at the event.

Earlier in the day, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum received UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is attending a ceremony marking the launch of a report on Humanitarian Financing in Dubai.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, attended the meeting held at the International Humanitarian City in Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed and the UN Secretary-General exchanged views on a number of issues related to humanitarian assistance, especially the state of refugees across the world who are in need of special humanitarian aid to sustain them and provide certain minimum necessities of life in the light of the dire conditions facing them, such as cold weather, hunger and homelessness.

Ban Ki-moon hailed the UAE's humanitarian assistance provided to the needy people in the light of the constructive cooperation of Emirati competent authorities with the UN organisations, entities and programmes.

He also pointed out the role played by the International Humanitarian City, based in Jebel Ali, Dubai and chaired by HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Among those who attended the meeting were Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State, Mohammed Ibrahim AI Shaibani, Director-General of His Highness the Ruler's Court, Government of Dubai, Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, the Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations, Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director-General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai.

$40 billion shortfall in humanitarian aid

Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon praised the UAE for the support it has been providing during this global humanitarian crisis.

Speaking at the launch of the Humanitarian Financing Report in Dubai on Sunday evening, he stated: "We appreciate the UAE government for its support and compassionate leadership.

"Most of the leaders around the world are passionate. Everyone has passion, but when you see compassion, there's a huge difference. This is the time we need compassionate leadership."

The UN Secretary General called on governments, civil society, celebrities and sports heroes to step up for the cause.

He said the estimated cost of humanitarian aid today stands at $40 billion with the UN appealing to global leaders to step up and donate.

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