UAE And Norwegian Refugee Council Sign Cooperation To Expand East Africa Refugee Aid
The UAE International Aid Agency has agreed a new cooperation deal with the Norwegian Refugee Council to strengthen support for displaced people in East Africa. The partnership targets refugees and host communities in Ethiopia, Uganda and other states facing conflict, backed by a UAE grant of US$8 million to expand essential humanitarian programmes across the region.
The signing took place in the presence of Fatema Khamis Salem Khalfan Al Mazrouei, UAE Ambassador to Norway, highlighting official backing for the initiative at diplomatic level. The agreement was formally signed by Rashid Salem Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Logistics Support at the UAE Aid Agency, and Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Under the agreement, the US$8 million grant is allocated to broaden the reach of humanitarian operations serving refugees in East African host countries. Funding is planned to support both refugee populations and the communities that receive them, with emphasis on areas heavily affected by conflict pressures in Ethiopia, Uganda and neighbouring states.
Dr. Al Ameri affirmed "the UAE’s commitment to supporting refugees who have been forcibly displaced from their homes in East Africa due to ongoing conflicts, which represent some of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. This agreement will help alleviate the suffering of those affected and ensure that essential humanitarian support is delivered swiftly and effectively."
According to Dr. Al Ameri, the partnership is designed to use the Norwegian Refugee Council’s long-standing field experience. The Council’s operational capacity will support delivery of shelter, clean water, sanitation and education services. The agreement also covers protection activities for groups at higher risk, including women and children in fragile host communities and refugee settlements.
For his part, Jan Egeland said, "We thank the UAE for this support, which will enable us to expand our noble humanitarian work to save the lives of refugee families in need of essential assistance in Ethiopia, Uganda, and other areas of East Africa." He added, "At a time when global humanitarian funding faces multiple challenges that prevent millions of affected people from accessing humanitarian aid, UAE’s support represents an important and vital step toward overcoming these challenges. Our partnership with the UAE embodies the solidarity required to meet growing humanitarian needs and to preserve the dignity of those affected by crises."
The agreement between the UAE International Aid Agency and the Norwegian Refugee Council links Gulf-based funding with established international field operations in East Africa. By combining financial resources, diplomatic support and technical expertise, both sides aim to strengthen humanitarian responses to long-running conflicts, while easing pressure on host communities that continue to shelter large refugee populations.
With inputs from WAM
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