Since hit by the novel coronavirus the UAE has offered a candid example of humanitarian solidarity against this virus internally and externally.
I: Internally
The coronavirus was an ample chance for UAE to demonstrate coexistence, tolerance and humanity in a practical way, as exemplified by the way it deals with various nationalities. Clues:
• “Nobody needs to live in poverty, go hungry or get sick in UAE” was the humanitarian message delivered by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to all citizens and expatriates on the occasion of Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Jomaa Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Emirates Food Bank, launched the “10-million meal” Campaign, the biggest of its kind, to support the needy throughout the UAE to alleviate their sufferings during COVID-19 pandemic.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum noted that “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed message was aimed to boost cooperation and interdependence in the community in order to pass this global crisis stronger”. “The public, private and humanitarian sectors .. employ “Union spirit” to help the community cross this global crisis”, His Highness added.
His Highness pointed out that “Crises test the mettle of men, organizations and communities, so did the COVID-19 crisis to our nation”. He explained that “Offering food to everyone, as the Holy month of Ramadan is approaching, is a humanitarian and societal priority imposed by a bigger crisis…”
• “We take pride in our citizens and expatriates, have the honor to serve them, and are lucky to have them”. This was the humanitarian and cultural message delivered by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to expatriates by saying “We seize this COVID-19 crisis to appreciate citizens and expatriates’ attitudes and have the honor to serve them… We feel proud of our brotherly expatriates seeing them singing our national anthem in these difficult times…Together we will overcome this crisis”.
• “Expatriates are exempted from fines till the end of this year”. The UAE cabinet presided over by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum issued a number of decisions and facilities to make life easier for inhabitants in the current coronavirus pandemic.
• “Free medical treatment and examinations at hospitals and private clinics for all residents”. So, expatriates are treated like citizens when dealing with coronavirus.
• Allow expatriate workers to leave for home after availing an unpaid “early vacation” including round-trip tickets, honoring the employer-employee contractual obligations.
• Launching a number of government and private initiatives to exempt expatriates with overdue rent problems , provide financial and food assistance and pay, or reduce, private school tuition fee instalments.
• “Herd immunity” did not apply to expatriate workers.
II. Externally
• Frequent calls for inter-country solidarity to counter COVID-19 pandemic. Telephone calls by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to heads of state worldwide rarely skipped His Highness’ call for solidarity against this common enemy and offer UAE’s assistance to bring under control the corona pandemic implications. In particular, His Highness’ call with the Pope of the Vatican and how to activate the principles of the human brotherhood document demonstrate UAE’s humanitarian message. His Highness said “The UAE will always remain a bridge of welfare, peace and assistance for all world countries”.
Rising above political differences:
• Provide assistance to Iran against COVID-19 pandemic regardless of political differences.
• His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, called the Syrian President Bashar Al Assad calling on states to rise above political differences in these extraordinary circumstances: “Syria is a sisterly Arab country and will not be alone in these critical times”.
• Repatriate foreign subjects due to coronavirus:
• As many as 215 foreign subjects were evacuated upon respective governments’ request, an initiative which was lauded by WHO spokesman who described this step as “positive.
• Also evacuated were 11 subject from US, Britain, France, Germany, South Africa, Holland and Switzerland who were stuck in the Yemeni Island of Soqtora due to coronavirus.
Provide Assistance to Various Countries:
• The UAE routed a plane with 8 tons of medical supplies to Cyprus to cover 10,000 of medical staff.
• The UAE routed, in cooperation with WHO, a plane to Ethiopia with 33 tons of medical supplies to cover 10,000 of medical staff.
• The UAE routed a plane with 10 tons of medical and protective supplies to Columbia to cover 10,000 of medical staff.
• The UAE routed a plane with 10 tons of medical and protective supplies to Kazakhstan to cover 10,000 of medical staff.
• The UAE routed a plane with 10 tons of medical and protective supplies to Italy to cover 10,000 of medical staff.
• The UAE routed a plane with 11 tons of medical and protective supplies to Ukraine to cover 10,000 of medical staff.
• The UAE routed a plane with 18 tons of medical and protective supplies to Mauritania to cover 10,000 of medical staff.
• The UAE routed a plane with 7 tons of medical and protective supplies to Ukraine to cover 7,000 of medical staff.
• The UAE routed a plane with 20 tons of medical and protective supplies to Indonesia to cover 20,000 of medical staff.
• The UAE routed a plane with 7 tons of medical and protective supplies to Armenia to cover 7,000 of medical staff.
• The UAE routed a plane with 7 tons of medical and protective supplies to Sudan to cover 7,000 of medical staff.
International Tributes:
• The United Nations lauded the UAE’s generous support and humanitarian efforts to transport medical and protective supplies to African countries.
• The World Food Program (WFP) affirmed that the UAE played a major role in the preparation and shipment of medical supplies. WFP spokeswoman, Elizabeth Pears, said in a press conference in Geneva that the biggest shipment since coronavirus outbreak was from the UAE to Addis Ababa.
• WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the Solidarity Flight to Ethiopia was part of a bigger shipment of life-saving medical supplies to 95 countries, expressing his appreciation of the UAE, the African Union and Ethiopia in this critical time.
• WHO said that its Dubai-based logistic office hire a 7-man team to work round-the-clock to send 130 shipment of personal protection gear and lab instruments to 95 countries.
