UAE support brings hope back to Yemen

Aya Ezz

The United Arab Emirates has been stretching its hands out to help the Yemeni people since operation ‘Decisive Storm’ started in Yemen on March 26, 2015.

It contributed significantly to the reconstruction of Yemeni cities, trying to change realities in these cities, following their destruction at the hands of the terrorist Houthi militia.

The UAE has launched a series of humanitarian and development projects. It also offered over 20 billion dirhams in grants and assistance to the Yemeni people.

Medical support

The UAE helped put the Yemeni health sector back on track. It earmarked 845 million dirhams for this sector. This money was instrumental in providing the Yemeni health sector with urgently needed medical supplies, rebuilding medical facilities and maintaining dozens of hospitals and clinics in all Yemeni provinces.

Around 55 hospitals and medical centers were reconstructed and maintained by UAE money. Financial support from the UAE also was used in launching campaigns for the immunization of 488,000 Yemeni children against fever. The same support helped international organizations launch a series of health projects and medical protection campaigns against cholera, dengue fever and diphtheria.

Educational support

The UAE specified 147 million dirhams for the Yemeni educational sector. these funds were used in reconstructing and maintaining more than 270 schools, including 145 schools in Aden, 18 schools in Lahij, 16 schools in Ad Dali’, 32 schools in Socotra island and 18 schools in Mocha.

Sports sector

The UAE implemented several sports projects. It overhauled sports clubs and helped Yemeni sports officials organize a number of tournaments in the different provinces. It also offered support to championships in Aden, Lahij, Abyan, Shabwah and Hadhramaut.

Security support

The UAE brought security in the provinces liberated from Houthi control back on track by offering logistical support and organizing training programs for security personnel. These efforts led to marked improvements in the liberated cities.

Emirates also adopted a number of development projects and overhauled the security apparatus in several Yemeni cities. It reconstructed police facilities destroyed by the war.

Official spokesman of the Southern Transitional Council Nizar Haitham said UAE support comes within the framework of efforts by the Arab coalition to bring hope back to Yemen.

He told The Reference that this support covered all sectors and fields.