ABU DHABI 3 March 2020: The United Arab Emirates has evacuated Emiratis from the Islamic Republic of Iran, through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the UAE National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority, in coordination with the UAE Embassy Tehran.
It saw to their safe return to their homeland, in order to ensure the health and safety of Emirati nationals abroad, a top priority of the UAE’s foreign policy.
This step is part of the country’s efforts to counter the spread of the new Corona virus – Covid-19 in a number of countries, said Wam.
All quarantine procedures were applied to those repatriated and continuous checks are conducted for their health and safety.
UAE helps deliver WHO Covid-19 kits to Iran
The United Arab Emirates has facilitated a mission by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to deliver medical supplies and equipment to Iran in a bid to help contain the new coronavirus, Covid-19, in the neighbouring country.
The UAE Air Force deployed an aircraft that carried 7.5 tonnes of cargo from Dubai to Iran on Monday afternoon.
Dubai’s International Humanitarian City facilitated the packing and loading of the shipment containing hundreds of thousands of gloves, surgical masks, and other basic medical supplies, that could assist some 15,000 healthcare workers taking care of coronavirus patients in Iran.
The laboratory diagnostic kits in the cargo will help screen thousands of people, further supporting the efforts to control the epidemic.
The UAE is carrying out this important mission in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, WHO, and the International Humanitarian City, IHC, one of the biggest humanitarian hubs in the world, a senior official told Emirates News Agency, WAM.
Easy Access
“The UAE’s geographical location gives us easy access to more than 100 countries that cover two thirds of the global population. We use this privilege to support people who are affected by any crises. This mission is part of our efforts to support coronavirus patients,” said Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister for International Development Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
“We will continue to extend our support to the people in distress in collaboration with the international community,” he said while overseeing the loading of cargo on to the aircraft at Al Maktoum International Airport.
A senior WHO official said it would not have been possible for the UN health agency to carry out the mission without the support of the UAE Government.
“Iran has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the Middle East. The medical supplies will help equip Iran to contain the virus,” said Dr. Richard Brennan, Acting Regional Emergency Director at the WHO’s regional office in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“The partnership is very important to deal with this situation. We appreciate the UAE’s support for this mission,” he added.
WHO Director-General commends Mohamed bin Zayed
The World Health Organisation Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, commended His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the UAE government, for deploying an aircraft that helped WHO deliver medical supplies and equipment to Iran in a bid to help contain the novel coronavirus, Covid-19.
“I would like to inform you that a WHO team arrived in Iran this afternoon to deliver supplies and support the government in the response. I would like to use this opportunity to thank Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates for his support in making this mission possible,” said Dr Ghebreyesus at a news conference held at the organisation’s premises here this evening.
The UAE deployed an aircraft that carried 7.5 tonnes of cargo from Dubai to Iran on Monday afternoon. The laboratory diagnostic kits in the cargo will help screen thousands of people, further supporting the efforts to control the epidemic.
No impact from coronavirus on operations: Dana Gas
Dana Gas issued a trading update to shareholders noting that its growth plan and operations remain unaffected by coronavirus, Covid-19, developments.
The company went on to note that precautionary measures and contingency plans were put in place to safeguard personal and assets.
Dana Gas has robust operations and cash flows since a large part of the company’s revenue comes from long-term gas contracts rather than oil, whose price is largely uncorrelated to oil. “This represents a natural hedge against low oil prices,” the company explained.
Patrick Allman-Ward, Dana Gas Chief Executive Officer, said, “The first two months of trading in 2020 has been robust despite the current unpredictable economic environment resulting from the coronavirus.”
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