Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD) and Head of the UAE Committee for the Coordination of Humanitarian Foreign Aid, said the UAE has become a pivotal country in protecting people from risks which threaten their existence, especially infectious diseases and epidemics, thanks to the UAE leadership.
She appreciated the directives of the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in this respect In her speech on the occasion of unveiling the results of the vaccination campaign implemented by the UAE Project to Assist Pakistan (UAE PAP) last January and February, she said that the UAE has responded positively to the risks of spread of diseases and epidemics, especially in poor communities and areas, which suffer from shortages of basic needs such as sophisticated medical equipment.
"The UAE has scored once more a new achievement in the light of its international commitments," the UAE Minister said, adding that this feat sends a message to the world that concerted international partnership is needed to address a number of important humanitarian issues.
Sheikha Lubna added that the campaigns, which follow the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to organise humanitarian and developmental aid, support the health sector, enhance preventive programmes in Pakistan, as well as the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces to eradicate polio disease globally, succeeded in vaccination of more than 28 million Pakistani children against polio.
She also reiterated that the UAE's response to the victims of humanitarian crises, especially those related to the deadly and communicable diseases, has become a role model which keeps pace with its policy towards the world, and enhances its responsibilities towards the international community to alleviate suffering of the victims of such diseases.
Sheikha Lubna praised the role played by the UAE PAP'S teams in the light of the geographical, security and logistical challenges to reach the Pakistani children in all areas