2009-10-29 17:38:23
WAM Abu Dhabi, Oct 29th, 2009 (WAM)--The UAE Foreign Aid Coordination Office (FACO) today hosted a meeting with donor countries in collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Held at FACO Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, the meeting focused on the humanitarian situation in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia (MENACA) and aimed at providing an overview of the humanitarian needs of the region to key donor countries.

Chairing the meeting was Sultan Al Shamsi, Executive Director of FACO, who welcomed ambassadors and representatives of several donor and participant countries, including the ambassadors of The Netherlands, Switzerland and Norway to the UAE, and officials from Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UK, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Turkey, Pakistan and India. Also represented were local and international organisations, including Dubai Humanitarian City and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN; and, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting included a discussion on key issues affecting the humanitarian aid requirements in Yemen, Pakistan and Syria, and concluded with a brief overview of OCHA's Quarterly Regional Humanitarian Funding Update for July-September 2009. The report provides information about humanitarian appeals and donations made from countries in the MENACA region, and identifies where funding gaps exist in order that these shortfalls may soon be met.

"Today's meeting aimed at providing a comprehensive picture of the humanitarian funding levels and trends in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, with the aim of maximising the impact of funds pledged by donor countries in the future. The region is home to several ongoing conflict situations that require funds to support relief efforts, including the provision of the most basic requirements of water, food, shelter and rudimentary healthcare," said Hazza Mohammed Falah Al Qahtani, FACO Director General.

"The meeting is the latest in a series of briefings organized by OCHA for donor countries based in Abu Dhabi, which FACO promotes in line with its objectives that have been developed under the directives of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi," added Al Qahtani.

Based on the findings of the presented report, the UAE emerged as the biggest regional donor in the third quarter of 2009, with Dh250 million (73% of total aid) offered in aid. Countries in the MENACA region gave over AED 345 million in humanitarian assistance during this period. Pakistan received the majority of this assistance (nearly AED 198 million), followed by Afghanistan (AED 136 million).

FACO was set up earlier this year by the UAE government to support and coordinate UAE-based donor organizations that provide assistance for humanitarian activities and emergency relief worldwide. FACO engages in documenting foreign aid activities by UAE donor organizations, conducting analysis and research on the sector, coordinating relief efforts to maximize efficiency, developing and recommending policies and building the individual and organisational capacities of humanitarian players, with the objective of raising the UAE's profile as a donor country involved in shaping the international humanitarian agenda.

WAM/MN