Sultan Bin Ahmed Calls For Sustainable Support During Visit To Palestinian Refugee Camp In Jordan
H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Humanitarian Envoy of The Big Heart Foundation, highlighted the urgent need for collective efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, particularly in Gaza. He stressed the importance of sustainable development projects focusing on healthcare, education, and food security to meet Palestinians' basic needs. He urged individuals and organisations to support these initiatives, reflecting a deep humanitarian commitment to those displaced or in need.
During his visit to Jordan's Marka refugee camp, home to over 70,000 Palestinian refugees, H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed led a delegation from Sharjah. This group included senior officials and representatives from The Big Heart Foundation and UAE government entities. The visit aimed to explore sustainable humanitarian projects in health, education, and food security and mobilise resources for similar initiatives in Gaza and countries hosting Palestinian refugees.
H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed underscored the indescribable suffering of Palestinians and emphasised that supporting them is a minimum obligation. He praised Jordan's long-standing role in hosting over four million Palestinian and Arab refugees. Despite challenging circumstances, Jordan has provided these refugees with dignified living conditions. The UAE has consistently supported the Palestinian cause at both leadership and public levels.
The Deputy Ruler visited several classrooms at Marka Girls Preparatory School operated by UNRWA. He engaged with teaching staff and students to understand their learning environment better. Discussions focused on future infrastructure needs in the camp and explored key scientific laboratories that enhance educational experiences through hands-on learning.
H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed met with students representing the "Student Parliament" at Marka Camp. They presented challenges faced in education and discussed academic needs for improving quality education amidst rapid advancements across various fields. This engagement highlighted the importance of addressing educational challenges faced by Palestinian refugees.
The Deputy Ruler also visited ANERA's food security project supporting refugees in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. This initiative transforms aid into sustainable food production within refugee communities through year-round farming using greenhouses. Such efforts align with The Big Heart Foundation's goals for Gaza by enhancing self-reliance among displaced populations.
Sustainable Development Goals
H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed explored modern farming techniques used in ANERA’s project that conserve water while ensuring sustainable output. These efforts are crucial for securing food supplies for affected communities during conflicts or disasters. Sustainable development goals focus on reducing dependency on external aid by promoting self-reliance among refugee populations.
The visit was part of the ongoing "For the Children of Olives" campaign launched last Ramadan by H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation. This campaign aims to provide holistic support for over 20,000 orphans living in Gaza by ensuring their right to education, healthcare, psychological support, nutrition, and adequate shelter.
Collaborative Humanitarian Initiatives
During discussions with UNRWA officials including Natalie Boucly (Deputy Commissioner-General) and Olaf Becker (Jordan Field Director), collaboration opportunities were explored to support humanitarian projects benefiting Palestinians in Gaza as well as refugees residing within Jordan—particularly focusing on education health community welfare sectors.
The delegation also visited Taawun Foundation—a partner organisation involved in "For Children Olives" campaign—to discuss recent developments concerning Palestinian refugees amid ongoing tragic conditions across region while exploring ways respond effectively secure essential living conditions future plans providing critical services across sectors discussed extensively during consultative meeting held there too!
Addressing Critical Needs
The Taawun Board presented its "Noor Programme for Orphan Care," launched due war leaving more than 39 thousand children orphaned within Gaza Strip alone! Delegation listened several recorded live contributions from programme staff based Egypt highlighting importance addressing critical needs vulnerable populations affected conflict situations globally today urgently require evolving humanitarian programmes initiatives meet unprecedented challenges facing region currently experiencing significant turmoil instability affecting millions lives daily basis worldwide now more than ever before perhaps even historically speaking overall contextually speaking too!
Dr Nabil Qaddumi Chairman Board Trustees welcomed Deputy Ruler praised fruitful partnership between Taawun Big Heart Foundation serving Palestinian refugees effectively efficiently possible given current circumstances prevailing throughout Middle East region today generally speaking overall contextually speaking too!
Concluding Observations
The visit concluded with discussions reviewing outcomes examining best humanitarian models implemented Jordan’s refugee camps adapting experiences benefit displaced people occupied territories globally today urgently require evolving programmes initiatives meet unprecedented challenges facing region currently experiencing significant turmoil instability affecting millions lives daily basis worldwide now more than ever before perhaps even historically speaking overall contextually speaking too!
With inputs from WAM
Sign in with Google