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The presence of the UN emergency aid hub in the UAE allows for an effective response to Gaza's humanitarian crisis, a senior official from the World Food Programme told The National on Thursday.
“Being in Dubai offers an additional element of responsiveness being just few hours away from the entry point of Al Arish into the corridor that is now open in Rafah,” said Walid Ibrahim, network co-ordinator of the WFP-managed UN Humanitarian Response Depot.
Since the war on Gaza began on October 7, the Rafah crossing on the border of Egypt has been the only entry point for aid lorries carrying desperately needed food, medicines, water and fuel.
In recent days, the number of lorries crossing daily has dropped to fewer than 100, from nearly 200 when the week-long truce was in effect between November 24 and December 1.
The UN has been calling for direct and unhindered access to Gaza and says the aid delivered is only a fraction of what Gazans need.
More than 1.9 million people – 85 per cent of Gaza's population – have been displaced since Israel launched its offensive on the strip.
Mr Ibrahim said there must be unhindered access into Gaza to distribute aid across the area.
“Our primary ask is that of access – we need to ensure that the needs of the population inside Gaza are met,” he said.
International aid to ease the burden of the wide-scale humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been pouring in, but challenges remain in transporting supplies safely into the besieged enclave from Egypt, currently the only route in.
“That can only be achieved if unconditional access is given for the content community to be able to access Gaza, and provide this life saving assistance,” he said.
In previous years, the WFP has been working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure aid from the UAE reaches those in need.
“This outlet has been a lifeline to the humanitarian community to be able to respond to a wide range of emergencies in the last couple of decades,” Mr Ibrahim said.
The International Humanitarian City is the only non-profit, independent, humanitarian free-zone authority and hosts a community of about 80 UN organisations, non-profits and NGOs, in addition to commercial companies.
The IHC community consists of about 500 people representing 68 nationalities.
The WFP manages the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Dubai, with similar outlets in Panama, Italy, Ghana and Malaysia.
“The presence in Dubai, and the presence that the IHC has facilitated for the humanitarian community continues to be very, very relevant,” Mr Ibrahim said.
During the past two decades, the UAE has “offered an invaluable support” for humanitarian crises across the Middle East and beyond.
“This ranges from the warehouse space that we are speaking from right now to very often in-kind donations of assets to transport goods into the affected areas,” he said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Manchester United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Man United: Dunk (66' og)
Man of the Match: Shane Duffy (Brighton)
Brief scores:
Everton 0
Leicester City 1
Vardy 58'
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
1971: The Year The Music Changed Everything
Director: Asif Kapadia
4/5
England Test squad
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Jamie Porter, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes.
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Abu Dhabi racecard
5pm: Maiden (Purebred Arabians); Dh80,000; 1,400m.
5.30pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,00; 1,400m.
6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA); Group 3; Dh500,000; 1,600m.
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (Thoroughbred); Listed; Dh380,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA); Dh70,000; 1,400m.
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: Dh898,000
On sale: now
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
