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Grandi hails TBHF’S ‘life-saving aid to refugees’

SHARJAH: Filippo Grandi, the Commissioner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees atended a virtual event held to honour the winner of the fith annual Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support (SIARA 2021).

Highlightingtheplightofthemorethan80million refugees and IDPS who currently require protection and assistance, Grandi said: “The SIARA ceremony not only allows us to reflect on their struggles and successesbutalsopresentsanopportunitytohighlight the contributions of individuals and organisations who have dedicated their lives and their work to helping the world’s forcibly displaced.”

“I am pleased to be alongside Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of TBHF, and the UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children,” he added, noting that under Sheikha Jawaher’s leadership, TBHF has done tremendous work in providing life-saving assistance to refugees and host communities during times of crises.

“In 2020 alone, TBHF responded with crucial aid in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut blast, and the floods in Sudan. This year, TBHF was again amongst the first to respond to the devastating fire in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh,” Grandi further noted.

Noting that the pandemic has had a particularly devastating effect on women and girls, the UNHCR official said it was fiting that SIARA 2021 has been awarded to Kenya’s REFUSHE, an organisation built on the principle that every young woman deserves an opportunity.

“Their holistic programmes which seek to provide opportunities to refugee girls and promote their wellbeing at every level is crucial especially now during these times,” he concluded as he extended his sincere congratulations to the non-profit.

Renowned Arab media personality and Palestinian refugee, Maysoon Azzam, was the master of ceremonies at the virtually held SIARA 2021 event, and was seen relating her own life experiences as a young girl who was forcibly displaced along with her entire family. Talking about the journey of refugees in search of their dreams, Azzam commended the role of SIARA in promoting humanitarian efforts worldwide that presents refugees with the opportunities to succeed. The fith annual edition of SIARA received 213 nominations from 41 countries across Asia, Middle East and Africa as the recipient of the Dhs500,000-award.

Held under the patronage of Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children, SIARA 2021 has received 105 nominations from across Africa and 94 from Asia, representing 49 per cent and 44 per cent respectively of the total number of nominations.

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2021-06-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

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Dar AlKhaleej