UAE carries out humanitarian actions during coronavirus crisis

Gulf Arab emirate donates 11.5 tonnes of medical equipment to Croatia which has been hit by powerful earthquake.

LONDON - The United Arab Emirates has embarked in the last few days on a series of humanitarian actions aimed at helping several countries and people that have been hit by natural disasters and the new coronavirus outbreak.

The Gulf emirate donated 11.5 tonnes of medical equipment, including face masks, to Croatia following Sunday’s devastating earthquake described as the strongest to strike the country in 140 years.

Zagreb was among the most affected by the tremor which forced the evacuation of hospitals and caused widespread damage including to the capital's iconic cathedral at a time the city is on a partial lockdown in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The Croatian government cancelled a deal to buy protective masks worth HRK19 million ($2.7 million) following the UAE’s donation.

Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic and Former Al Ain coach praised on Twitter the UAE for its humanitarian action.

“UAE government has sent 11.5 tonnes of medical equipment to Croatia. I give you thanks in the name of Croatian people,” tweeted Dalic.

Earlier this month, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, ordered the government to fly hundreds of foreign citizens from coronavirus-plagued Hubei province in China to Abu Dhabi in a humanitarian operation conducted in cooperation with the Chinese government.

The 215 people, mostly from several Arab countries, were accommodated at Emirates Humanitarian City.

“We recognise that it is difficult to leave a place that was a safe home to you, particularly when you are leaving it because of an unexpected crisis to go to a new land where you don’t know anyone. For that reason we wanted to welcome you personally to the Emirates,” wrote Sheikh Mohamed in personal welcome message.

“We want you to rest assured that you are among friends and family and you are a dear and honoured guest. We will provide you with complete health care and everything necessary to continue the trip to your home country whenever it is safe for you,” he added.

The Crown Prince ordered Monday the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department to halt all rental property eviction cases currently underway, along with executive procedures like imprisonment, blocking of bank accounts, seizure of vehicles, stocks and assets for a period of two months as part of decisions to help alleviate the strong impact of the coronavirus on citizens’ lives.