Sharjah: His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, emphasised the importance of boosting cooperation between humanitarian organisations to relieve the suffering of women and children and to provide those affected by war to conflicts with the basic elements of well-being until their plight is over.
Sheikh Sultan’s call came during the awarding ceremony of the first winner of the Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support, with the award given to the Sustainable Development Foundation (SDF) in Yemen. It was bestowed upon the foundation in recognition of its efforts in supporting Yemini refugees and those in the country who have been forcibly displaced during its ongoing conflict.
The award ceremony was held in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Big Heart Foundation (TBHF) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children and Kelly T. Clements, Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees.
“Of the 65 million people who are uprooted across the globe, about one-third are under 18 years of age and half have moved to places of safety within their own countries. More than 25 million people have been displaced from Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Palestine, and Libya among others with five million of these having refugee status,” said Sheikh Sultan.
“We are gathered here today to support The Big Heart Foundation in its first edition of the Sharjah International Award, which has been won by Sustainable Development Foundation. The foundation has provided healthcare, education and a safe environment to more than two million displaced Yemenis who are in urgent need of help,” added Sheikh Sultan.
On the sidelines of the awarding ceremony, Sheikh Sultan and Sheikha Jawaher met Clements, Asia Al Mashriqi, Director of SDF, who both gave overviews of the harsh conditions faced by refugees in their respective areas of concern. During the meeting, Sheikh Sultan underlined the need to strengthen cooperation between humanitarian organisations to alleviate the suffering of women and children, providing essential elements of a decent life for all those affected by war and unrest.
Sheikha Jawaher said: “The Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support honours humanitarian effort. We hope this will further motivate individuals and organisations who work with refugees. The award also is in keeping with the vision and instructions of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, which stresses the need for humanitarian solidarity and calls to entrench the values of goodness, love and peace in our society as well as building a secure and brighter future for all.”
Kelly T. Clements, Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, praised the pioneering initiative launched by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, and said: “Under the Big Heart Foundation’s leadership, the Sharjah International Award provides an important platform to pay tribute to the unsung humanitarian champions throughout the region that work tirelessly to support and protect those who have been forcibly displaced.”
“I would like to express my sincere thanks on behalf of the Sustainable Development Foundation for being awarded as the winner of the first Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support,” said Asia Al Mashraqi, Director of SDF.
Al Mashraqi announced the allocation of the cash prize of US$100,000 to restore hope to some patients with kidney failure in Yemen through the purchase of dialysis units, which will ease the suffering of thousands of patients and help save lives.
MEDIA COUNCIL
Sheikh Sultan has issued Emiri Decree No. 21 of 2017 establishing the Sharjah Media Council.
Pursuant to the decree, the council is chaired by Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi with the membership of Dr Khaled Omar Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Media City, Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director-General of Sharjah Media Corporation, and Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of Sharjah Government Media Bureau.
Decree No. 21 of 2017 stipulates that the term of membership in the council will be four years and may be extended for a similar period or periods. The council should fulfil its roles at the end of its term until a new board is appointed, with the possibility of reappointment of the same members.
The decree is effective from the date of issuance and shall be published in the Official Gazette.
Sheikh Sultan has also issued Law No.05 of 2017 to repeal Law No.02 of 1981 on the licensing of professions.
The law repeals Law No.02 of 1981 on the licensing of professions and all decisions issued thereunder as well.
The law annuls any other legislation that contradicts its articles and shall be published in the Official Gazette.
FINANCE BODY
Furthermore, Sheikh Sultan has issued an Emiri Decree amending the Emiri Decree No. 42 of 2014 on the general organisational structure of the Central Finance Department in the emirate of Sharjah.
The Decree No. 22 of 2017 replaces the general organisational structure approved earlier by the Emiri Decree No. 42 of 2014, with a new one attached to the new Emiri Decree.