UAE Cabinet Approves AED 2 Billion Aid For Rain-Damaged Homes
The UAE Cabinet, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has announced a significant financial package aimed at mitigating the effects of recent severe weather conditions on citizens' homes. A comprehensive AED2 billion fund has been allocated for this purpose, demonstrating the government's commitment to its citizens' welfare in times of crisis.
This decision was made during a cabinet meeting held at Qasr Al Watan, with key figures including His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; and H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior in attendance.
A ministerial committee has been established to oversee the assessment and compensation process in coordination with both federal and local authorities. This initiative underscores the UAE leadership's proactive approach to addressing the aftermath of natural disasters and ensuring swift recovery and normalization of life.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the unity and resilience demonstrated by government bodies, emergency response teams, volunteers, and the public in facing these challenges. He highlighted the quick recovery facilitated by the collective efforts of all stakeholders, including the support from President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The committee responsible for assessing infrastructure damage includes representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, and other federal entities. This collaborative effort aims to develop national-level solutions and measures to enhance future preparedness.
During this period of exceptional weather conditions, central operation rooms managed over 200,000 reports with assistance from more than 17,000 security, emergency, and interior personnel. Additionally, 15,000 local authority members and thousands of volunteers contributed to managing the situation effectively.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed also reflected on the positive outcomes of this event, noting the replenishment of dams, valleys, and underground water reserves. This situation has not only tested but also strengthened the nation's readiness for future challenges.
The Cabinet meeting also provided an opportunity to review updates on the UAE Tourism Strategy. The sector has shown remarkable performance with a total of 28 million hotel guests in 2023, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. The tourism sector's contribution to the GDP is nearing AED180 billion in 2023, showcasing its vital role in the nation's economic landscape.
This comprehensive response to natural disasters coupled with strategic investments in key sectors like tourism underscores the UAE's resilient and forward-thinking governance approach. The leadership's swift actions to address immediate concerns while also focusing on long-term economic growth reflect their dedication to both citizen welfare and national development.
With inputs from WAM
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