Britain's King Charles III meets members of the 15 charities that form the Disasters Emergency Committee, at Buckingham Palace, London, on Tuesday. PA
Britain's King Charles III meets members of the 15 charities that form the Disasters Emergency Committee, at Buckingham Palace, London, on Tuesday. PA
Britain's King Charles III meets members of the 15 charities that form the Disasters Emergency Committee, at Buckingham Palace, London, on Tuesday. PA
Britain's King Charles III meets members of the 15 charities that form the Disasters Emergency Committee, at Buckingham Palace, London, on Tuesday. PA

King Charles discusses world humanitarian crises with charities committee


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

King Charles discussed humanitarian crises around the world with Disasters Emergency Committee charities on Tuesday.

The king met chief executives and aid workers at Buckingham Palace as they spoke about the Pakistan Floods Appeal, which has topped £38 million ($45 million), the drought in East Africa and the situations in Afghanistan and Ukraine.

The monarch, who donated to the Pakistan appeal along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, heard how millions have been left homeless in the country, which is facing a secondary health crisis caused by water-borne and mosquito-carried disease.

The king was also updated on the hunger crises in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia caused by continuing severe drought, described as the worst in living memory.

The group discussed the life-changing effects of money given by the public to DEC appeals and how climate change is affecting the world’s most vulnerable communities.

King Charles’s meeting on Tuesday with experts from the 15 charities that make up the DEC included a discussion on the broader humanitarian picture, the DEC said.

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“We’ve seen and heard so many times now how the climate crisis is causing or exacerbating humanitarian crises," said Saleh Saeed, the DEC’s chief executive.

“The rains fail, or come too heavily, or at different and unusual times. For many people and communities already on the edge of disaster, they simply find themselves pushed over the brink.

“As we all grapple with the impact of climate change, we warmly welcome His Majesty the King’s interest and support in our work in responding to the needs of those most affected, and who are often those who have done the least to cause it.”

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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
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  • Wear a protective helmet
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  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
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Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm

Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm

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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

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Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.

Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born. 

UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.

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"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

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Started: 2019
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Funds raised: $22 million

Updated: November 29, 2022, 11:43 PM`