Sheikha Fatima provides $1 million in additional support to the Refugee Women Support Fund to empower refugee women
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and Honorary President of the Emirates Red Crescent, has provided additional support of $1 million to the Refugee Women Support Fund. This contribution aims to create empowerment opportunities for refugee women, reflecting Her Highness’s commitment to humanitarian and charitable work and alleviating the suffering of those in need worldwide, particularly women and children refugees.
The fund was established in 2000 through Her Highness’s generous initiative in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Her Highness praised the role of the UAE’s wise leadership, represented by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, with the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the Ruler in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent, in advancing humanitarian and charitable efforts.
Her Highness highlighted the importance of improving refugee stability, meeting their basic needs, and helping them overcome challenges. She emphasized that addressing refugee issues is a core principle of the UAE’s humanitarian approach, with the nation consistently working to provide urgent and essential aid to improve the living conditions of refugees in various regions.
Her Highness stated, “The hardships faced by refugees due to their exceptional circumstances require enhanced partnerships between humanitarian organizations to improve their situation and draw attention to their urgent needs. The UAE’s efforts for refugees reflect a message of generosity, love, and fraternity among peoples, as established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may he rest in peace.”
She expressed hope that the Refugee Women Support Fund would continue to achieve more for refugee women globally, providing opportunities to improve their lives through empowerment and utilizing their educational and professional skills.
Her Highness also acknowledged the critical role of UNHCR in providing care and protection for millions of displaced people and refugees in many countries worldwide. She reaffirmed the strong partnership between the fund and UNHCR, striving to expand cooperation to serve refugee women’s causes and enhance targeted programs.
In this context, Her Highness directed the signing of an agreement between the Emirates Red Crescent and UNHCR to implement the “South Sudanese Refugee Assistance in Uganda” project, funded by a $1 million grant from the Refugee Women Support Fund. This project aims to economically empower refugees, preserve their dignity, and encourage them to utilize and develop their skills, turning them into productive human resources capable of facing life with resilience.
Under the agreement, which was signed at the Emirates Red Crescent headquarters, the project will launch initiatives enabling South Sudanese refugees in Uganda to engage in agricultural and livestock production. It is expected to benefit 41,660 refugees, with women comprising 60% of the beneficiaries.
Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, Secretary-General of the Emirates Red Crescent, signed the agreement on behalf of the organization, while Khaled Khalifa, Regional Representative of UNHCR for the Gulf Cooperation Council, signed on behalf of the international body.
Her Excellency Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, emphasized that the Refugee Women Support Fund, established through Her Highness Sheikha Fatima’s initiative, aims to alleviate the suffering of refugee women and provide them with a dignified life. She noted that signing this agreement strengthens Her Highness’s ongoing efforts to economically and socially empower refugee women, improving their living standards through projects that enable them to manage production resources and generate stable incomes.
Dr. Al Shamsi noted that Her Highness’s vision has brought a transformative change to programs and projects targeting women in fragile communities, earning widespread praise from humanitarian organizations focused on women and children regionally and globally. These efforts have raised awareness about refugee women’s hardships and attracted support to improve their situations.
Khaled Khalifa praised Her Highness Sheikha Fatima’s pioneering role in supporting refugees, expressing UNHCR’s appreciation for her contributions to refugee programs and operations worldwide. He described Her Highness as a steadfast supporter of UNHCR and an advocate for empowering refugees, noting that the partnership with the Emirates Red Crescent reflects a shared commitment to sustainable development and relief programs.
He added, “We are confident that this agreement will enhance the coordination and efficiency of the efforts by the Emirates Red Crescent and UNHCR to alleviate the plight of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda.” He emphasized that this project, which includes agricultural and livestock production, training in modern techniques, and commercial skills development, will significantly impact refugee livelihoods and local economies in host countries.
