UAE initiatives exceed 700 million dirhams to eradicate polio globally

The total value of the aid provided or committed by the UAE to support polio eradication initiatives globally amounted to the equivalent of 711 dirhams (194 million US dollars) during the past five years. These efforts, through alliances with international organizations concerned with combating the disease, focused on supporting vaccination and immunization campaigns in Countries and regions where the disease is widespread, especially in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Africa.

A report by the Ministry of Development and International Cooperation issued today to coincide with the Polio Heroes Awards ceremony hosted today in Abu Dhabi indicated that the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is at the forefront of the UAE’s efforts to eradicate this disease globally. This is considered a pivotal and effective model in confronting a dangerous viral disease that affects children, especially through His Highness’s announcement in 2013 to provide 440 million UAE dirhams (120 million US dollars) as a contribution to supporting global efforts to eradicate polio, with a special focus on Pakistan and Afghanistan, based on The lofty vision and philosophy of His Highness is that protecting children from preventable diseases is a great humanitarian work that can only be achieved with the solidarity and cooperation of everyone.

The report also highlighted His Highness’s initiative in 2011, which included concluding a strategic partnership between the UAE and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, under which an amount of $100 million was provided equally between the two parties to purchase and deliver vital vaccines to children in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The value of the aid amounted to Under that agreement, the state directed approximately 61.3 million dirhams (16.7 million US dollars) to both Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2011, to enable the purchase and delivery of vaccines and vaccination for children in Afghanistan and Pakistan over a period of three years.

Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Cooperation and Chairwoman of the Emirates Committee for Coordination of Foreign Humanitarian Aid, said that the UAE, under the directives of its wise leadership, is represented by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and President. The Cabinet, Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has become a world leader in the areas of providing humanitarian response to all those affected by humanitarian crises and disasters, including its active and pivotal role in supporting international efforts to eradicate polio in the world. This is through its strategic partnership with international organizations and institutions concerned with combating this disease, in addition to its efforts to combat the disease in areas where it is widespread, especially Pakistan and Afghanistan, with rapid access to infected children and those residing in mountainous or difficult-to-reach areas, which confirms the effectiveness of the Emirati efforts.

She added, “Today, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative confirms that the UAE’s efforts have effectively contributed to the eradication of polio, through the country’s prominent role in terms of financing and awareness efforts in supporting the global polio control program.”

The report of the Ministry of Development and International Cooperation indicated that the UAE provided assistance to the World Health Organization amounting to about 30 million UAE dirhams (8 million US dollars) for polio eradication projects in Africa.

The report also mentioned that the UAE, through the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, provided a grant to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 2013, amounting to about 2.7 million UAE dirhams (0.74 million US dollars) to provide vaccines for Syrian children as the disease spread as a result of the tragic conditions.

In 2014, the report indicated that the UAE provided a grant worth 55.8 million UAE dirhams (15.2 million US dollars) to the polio eradication program in Africa and Pakistan through the World Health Organization.

The UAE also directed about 121 million dirhams ($33 million) during the years 2011-2013 to support the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).

Within the framework of implementing the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” to provide humanitarian and development aid, support the health sector, and enhance its preventive programs in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and within the initiatives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, During the pivotal role of managing the Emirati project to help Pakistan, the missions of the Emirates vaccination campaign during the years 2014 and 2015 were crowned with success, with 86 million 582 thousand and 923 doses of vaccination given to Pakistani children against polio.

Those in charge of the campaign were able to succeed in field implementation and reach the children targeted by polio vaccination campaigns at a high and large rate in 53 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the tribal areas province, Balochistan province, and Sindh province, where the campaign succeeded in giving vaccination doses during the first and second phases to more than 21 million. A Pakistani child under the age of five years against polio.