The UAE provided 1,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Chad − including 30,000 food packages and 20,000 blankets − between December 25 and January 15, state news agency Wam reported on Thursday.
This initiative, which followed the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed, was carried out to support people affected by the conflict in neighbouring Sudan and by flooding last summer, while enhancing food security in worst-hit areas.
The aid has helped more than 150,000 people, particularly in rural and remote areas, said officials. Severe flooding in August and September left 550 people dead and affected about 1.9 million others, according to the UN.
The UN's Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said flooding had affected all of the country's 23 provinces, citing government data that said 210,000 houses had been destroyed, 72,000 cattle lost and 432,000 hectares of fields ruined.
“We are working, in collaboration with local partners, to ensure the distribution of aid to affected people,” said Rashid Al Shamsi, UAE ambassador to Chad.
“This initiative exemplifies the UAE’s dedication to humanitarian and developmental endeavours on a global scale, which aligns with the country’s steadfast approach, established by the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the directives of the wise leadership to provide continuous support and a prompt response to countries and individuals during crises and disasters.”
Severely affected
Chad has been severely affected by the war in Sudan. Last April, the UAE pledged $100 million at a donors' conference in Paris, with 70 per cent directed to international humanitarian organisations and the remainder to support Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries, such as Chad, Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia.
Chad has registered more than 630,700 Sudanese refugees since war began there − 83 per cent of whom are women and children. War broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, rival factions in the country's military government.
“These efforts consolidate the values of humanitarian solidarity and fulfil the goals of sustainable development, which contribute to enhancing the lives of impacted communities worldwide,” Mr Al Shamsi added.
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The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Anna and the Apocalypse
Director: John McPhail
Starring: Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Mark Benton
Three stars
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Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
