MBRGI pledges AED 60.6 million to support forcibly displaced

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) has pledged AED 60.6 million over the next year, in support of forcibly displaced persons.

The funds will be offered in the form of direct food aid as well as sustainable livelihood programmes in several countries around the world.

The announcement came during the Global Refugee Forum, taking place in Geneva from December 12-15.

Of the MBRGI pledge, around AED 37 million will fund the UN Refugee Agency's (UNHCR) humanitarian relief programmes and sustainable development interventions in 8 countries - Armenia, Bangladesh, Botswana, India, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Tunisia.

AED 5.5 million will facilitate UNHCR’s support and relief projects for Sudanese refugees in Chad, with a focus on addressing healthcare, water and sanitation needs in refugee camps.

A further allocation of over AED 18 million will be directed to the World Food Programme (WFP) to address urgent needs in the Gaza Strip.

The Global Refugee Forum is the world’s largest international gathering on refugee issues, bringing together UN Member States with relevant stakeholders, international and local organisations, civil society, financial institutions, academia and the private sector.