Latest news with #ShakhboutbinNahyan
The National
29-04-2025
- Health
- The National
UAE pledges $125m in drive to prevent 300,000 childbirth deaths in Africa
The UAE on Tuesday announced the launch of a major humanitarian project aimed at preventing 300,000 deaths in childbirth across Africa over the next five years as part of a $600 million healthcare strategy. The Beginnings Fund is the first flagship project unveiled by the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, a philanthropic organisation established last month to deliver a crucial lifeline to needy communities. The fund will work in partnership with African governments, national organisations and experts to provide access to quality care for 34 million mothers and babies by 2030. The fund will operate in 10 African countries – Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe – to help improve maternal and newborn survival rates. The Beginnings Fund has been established under a joint $600 million commitment, which includes $100 million in direct financing for its work. The funding pledge was enabled by a $125 million grant from the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, with the same amount from each of the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, Delta Philanthropies, The ELMA Foundation, and Gates Foundation, with further funding from Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Patchwork Collective and others. The programme will focus on strengthening workforces and equipping facilities with the expertise needed to improve patient outcomes. The launch of the scheme was held at Kanad Hospital in Al Ain, the first modern hospital established in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The event was attended by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, deputy chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, and chairman of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, and Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as a number of African health ministers. 'Through the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, we are honoured to support the Beginnings Fund in giving more mothers and children the opportunity of a healthy start," said Sheikh Theyab. "In the earliest days of the UAE, our nation faced high maternal and newborn mortality rates. This journey taught us the profound importance of quality health care that is available to all, at every stage of life, and this knowledge continues to guide us today. "Through this partnership, we further our dedication to working hand-in-hand with governments and partners to build a healthier, more hopeful future for generations to come.' Newborn deaths in the first month of life are the single biggest driver of mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, where 70 per cent of maternal deaths also occur, the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity said. it said "without transformative action", 182,000 women and 1.2 million newborns in sub-Saharan Africa will continue to die each year from preventable causes, in addition to 950,000 stillbirths. The international effort has won the support of the World Health Organisation. 'The world has made real progress on reducing the number of maternal and child deaths in the last two decades, thanks to dedicated health workers and governments, backed by investment and technical know-how,' said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO's director general. 'But still, every seven seconds a mother or baby dies a preventable death. We welcome the launch of the Beginnings Fund and look forward to working closely with all those involved to end these preventable tragedies.' Tanya Masiyiwa, president and chief executive of Delta Philanthropies, said the major investment plan would be key to providing better training for health workers. 'Although infrastructure existed - medical schools, nursing colleges, and partnerships with institutions such as those in the UK - the actual translation of training materials into practice was missing due to lack of funding," she told The National. "Materials would gather dust in offices because there were no resources to run training programmes for specialists, nurses, and auxiliary staff. This is why the investment from the Beginnings Fund is so critical. it has become a real game changer.' Ms Masiyiwa said further financial assistance is needed to strengthen the health sector in parts of the continent. 'Sub-Saharan Africa, from east to west to central to southern Africa, faces dilapidated health systems and limited maternal health investments. "The plan is to continue fundraising, bringing on board both large investors and smaller contributors, including local philanthropists within each country.'
The National
20-03-2025
- Politics
- The National
Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan leads humanitarian visit to refugee camp in South Sudan
Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the UAE remains unwavering in its support for displaced people who have fled conflict. He made his comments during a humanitarian tour of the Gorom Refugee Camp in Juba, South Sudan, state news agency Wam reported on Thursday. Also on the tour led by Sheikh Shakhbout were senior South Sudanese officials, high-level delegations from several countries and Birtukan Ayano, Minister of State of Ethiopia. "Since its founding, humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians, particularly the sick, children, the elderly and women, have served as the foundation of the UAE's policy and approach that prioritises civilians' requirements and fulfils their needs," he said. South Sudan split from Sudan in 2011. Civil war followed and a peace deal in 2018 has yet to be fully implemented. A civil war also broke out in Sudan in April, 2023. The UN said last year that Sudan has been world's largest displacement crisis with at least 11 million displaced. Earlier this month, the UAE opened a field hospital in South Sudan to help treat vulnerable people most in need. The 100-bed Madhol Field Hospital in the country's Northern Bahr el Ghazal state aims to support those facing challenges in accessing essential services, especially urgent health care and treatment. During the tour of the refugee camp, Sheikh Shakhbout took the opportunity to emphasise "the UAE's steadfast and unwavering commitment to support all efforts to address this catastrophic crisis and to work alongside regional and international partners to ensure stability and peace for the Sudanese people". An example of this took place last month at an aid conference in which the UAE donated a substantial amount of aid. 'The UAE announced an additional $200 million of aid during the High-Level Humanitarian Conference for the People of Sudan, held in Addis Ababa," Sheikh Shakhbout said, reported Wam. "The conference, the first to be held for Sudan this year, will serve as a catalyst for future conferences that are scheduled to assist the people of Sudan. The pledge made during the conference was not merely an announcement but rather a call to the international community for action and participation.' Since the onset of the crisis, he added, the UAE has provided $600.4 million to support a humanitarian response. Furthermore, the UAE has provided U$3.5 billion of humanitarian aid over the past 10 years, sent 160 aircraft carrying relief aid, and distributed 12,000 tonnes of food, medical, and relief supplies to the people of Sudan. 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Personnel must wear protective gowns that must be discarded or decontaminated after use. Strict safety and handling procedures are in place. There must be double entrances to the building and they must contain self-closing doors to reduce risk of pathogen aerosols escaping. Windows must be sealed. Air from must be filtered before it can be recirculated. Biosafety Level 4 The highest level for biosafety precautions. Scientist work with highly dangerous diseases that have no vaccine or cure. All material must be decontaminated. Personnel must wear a positive pressure suit for protection. On leaving the lab this must pass through decontamination shower before they have a personal shower. Entry is severely restricted to trained and authorised personnel. All entries are recorded. Entrance must be via airlocks. 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The National
09-03-2025
- Health
- The National
UAE opens field hospital in South Sudan
The UAE has opened a field hospital in South Sudan to help treat vulnerable communities most in need, state news Wam reported on Saturday. The Madhol Field Hospital in the Northern Bahr el Ghazal state of the country aims to support those facing challenges in accessing essential services, especially urgent health care and treatment. Wam said this was particularly significant amid health challenges such as the spread of malaria caused by insufficient medical services and inadequate access to medication. 'Today, as we celebrate with South Sudan and reap the benefits of our strong bilateral relations and deep-rooted values, we announce the inauguration of Madhol Field Hospital, which has a 100-bed capacity, and several specialised clinics to treat approximately two million people from the host community, South Sudanese returning from Sudan, and Sudanese refugees in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state,' said Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the opening. 'Since its founding, humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians, particularly the sick, children, the elderly, and women, have served as the foundation of the UAE's policy.' South Sudan split from Sudan in 2011. Civil war followed and a peace deal in 2018 has yet to be fully implemented. A civil war also broke out in Sudan in April, 2023. The UN has said last year that Sudan has been world's largest displacement crisis with at least 11 million displaced. The hospital is the third healthcare centre built by the UAE to provide medical services to Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries after two previous field hospitals that were opened in Amdjarass and Abeche, Chad. Sheikh Shakhbout said the UAE had been resolute in its position in relation to the crisis in neighbouring Sudan since April 2023. The country's primary focus remains on addressing the catastrophic humanitarian situation and prioritising civilians, he said. Sheikh Shakhbout said the UAE was committed to supporting all efforts to address the crisis and to work alongside regional and international partners to ensure stability and peace for the Sudanese people. 'The UAE announced an additional US$200 million of aid during the High-Level Humanitarian Conference for the People of Sudan, held in Addis Ababa,' he said. Sheikh Shakhbout added the UAE had provided more than $600 million to support a humanitarian response and provided US$3.5 billion of humanitarian aid over the past 10 years to the people of Sudan. The opening of the hospital was attended by several ministers and officials from both the UAE and South Sudan, and international organisations. 'We express our appreciation to the UAE for its leading international humanitarian efforts in enhancing the healthcare sector in Africa, through several projects and initiatives,' said Dr Humphrey Karamagi, World Health Organisation Representative for South Sudan. Simon Uber Mawut, governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, said it was a 'historic day'. 'Today is the moment we have been waiting for, and we thank the UAE for constructing Madhol Field Hospital, which will aim to address health challenges in our region. Today is a historic day for the residents of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state and the entire region.' The opening of the hospital came following the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed, and under the supervision of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council.
The National
14-02-2025
- Politics
- The National
UAE pledges another $200 million in humanitarian funding for Sudan
The UAE on Friday pledged another $200 million in humanitarian funding for Sudan, with Minister of State Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan saying the crisis in the country demands "our immediate and collective action". The UAE, Ethiopia, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development are hosting a high-level humanitarian conference in Addis Ababa to mobilise urgent support for the Sudanese people, as war rages between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Representatives of countries including France, Canada and the US have joined the UAE, the UN and African partners in calling for a Ramadan ceasefire – a call previously rejected by the Sudanese army. About 190 people are set to attend the conference, including representatives from at least 50 countries and international organisations. "The situation in Sudan must be addressed and we must all address it together," Sheikh Shakhbout said during a media conference in Addis Ababa. Sudan's civil war, which started in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions and devastated the country. Famine has been detected in at least five areas of Sudan, including three camps for displaced people in Darfur, the Integrated Food Security Classification has said. The Sudanese army and the RSF have been accused of obstructing the delivery of aid during the conflict. Humanitarian groups say they have struggled to reach the most vulnerable people, especially in the western region of Darfur. 'Since April 2023, the UAE has provided over $400 million to support the Sudanese people in Sudan and neighbouring countries who have so generously welcomed Sudanese refugees," Sheikh Shakhbout said. "Today, we reaffirm our commitment to the people of Sudan by announcing an additional $200 million in humanitarian funding. This support reflects our unwavering solidarity since, in the last decade alone, we have stood by our brothers and sisters in Sudan with $3.5 billion. 'We reiterate our call on all parties to the conflict to immediately guarantee safe and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Sudan, to protect aid workers and humanitarian facilities, and to cease attacks on humanitarian operations. The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. The UAE stands firm in its support of the Sudanese people.' Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said his country would continue to stand with Sudan in its time of need. It will offer refuge to Sudanese fleeing the conflict, he added.
