Sheikha Fatima donates $1 million to refugee women's fund

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak donated $1 million to the Fund for Refugee Women on Tuesday to mark Mother’s Day, which is celebrated on March 21 in most Arab countries.

The fund, which launched in 2000 in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent and the UN High Commission for Refugees, aims to provide protection and assistance for refugee women and children worldwide.

The Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, on Tuesday said the UAE places the plight of refugees and displaced persons at the forefront of its foreign aid agenda

"The UAE leadership continues to step up its efforts to ensure the stability of displaced persons and refugees, with the aim to return to their homeland feeling safe and secure," she said.

"The UAE's refugee aid policy reflects the values of tolerance, love, and brotherhood between peoples, as instilled by the late Sheikh Zayed."

The wife of the UAE Founding Father directed for the donation to be distributed in aid programmes and initiatives that directly benefit refugee women living in marginalised areas to improve their conditions and provide them with basic necessities for their individual and family needs, reported state news agency Wam.

Sheikha Fatima called on the international community to shoulder its humanitarian responsibilities towards refugee women, children, and youth fleeing violence and persecution.

"With the increasing number of refugees and displaced persons as a result of wars and crises around the world, united efforts to provide greater protections for the vulnerable must be applied," she said.