In a major move, the Emirates Red Crescent has launched the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign for refugees and displaced communities in Jordan and Iraq. With this initiative, the UAE aims to inoculate tens of thousands of refugees and displaced persons in Jordan and Iraq as part of the humanitarian and medical assistance provided by the Emirates Red Crescent to support the efforts of the two countries in combating COVID-19 and accelerating post-pandemic recovery.

The decision was taken in line with the directives of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), and Honorary Chairwoman of the ERC. The initiative is overseen by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent.

The Emirates Red Crescent has started the medical initiative in collaboration with the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi and in coordination with the health ministries of Iraq and Jordan. In addition, the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is also extending support to the ERC's initiative to provide assistance to 12,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan and 15,000 Iraqi displaced people and Syrian refugees in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The ERC is progressing forward in providing necessary humanitarian and medical supplies to the refugees and displaced persons in both Jordan and Iraq. In the coming days, two ERC delegations will be leaving the UAE for Jordan and Iraq to monitor the implementation of the health initiatives launched by the humanitarian arm of the country. The delegations will oversee that the emergency needs of refugees and displaced persons in Jordan and Iraq are being fulfilled.

Speaking about the development, ERC Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, underlined the directives of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak to advance the initiatives started by the UAE with the aim of containing the spread of COVID-19. These initiatives have been launched as part of the UAE's humanitarian contributions to the global battle against the pandemic. Dr. Al Falahi also highlighted the crucial role played by Sheikh Hamdan and his paramount support for refugees and displaced persons living inside and outside camps in Jordan, Iraq and other countries.

Dr. Al Falahi noted that the ERC will be vaccinating severe cases and highly vulnerable individuals in the first phase, including the elderly and people with chronic diseases. He affirmed that the COVID-19 vaccines will protect the refugees and the displaced amid new emerging strains of the virus.

Furthermore, Dr. Gamal Mohamed Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health- Abu Dhabi, stressed the significant initiative reflects the humanitarian role played by the UAE to address the pandemic. Dr. Al Kaabi hailed the ongoing partnership with relevant local health departments in Iraq and Jordan, adding that the UAE stands by the sisterly and friendly nations in their efforts to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic. 

WAM