UAE sends food aid to Bolivia amid wildfire crisis

The United Arab Emirates has sent urgent food supplies to Bolivia in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by wildfires that have severely impacted the country.

Bolivia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Celinda Sosa, expressed heartfelt gratitude to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, highlighting the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations.

UAE Dispatches Urgent Food Supplies to Communities Impacted by Wildfires in Boliviahttps://t.co/g90OFYrJYX pic.twitter.com/PcSE1U67cJ

— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) October 24, 2024

During the aid distribution, Sosa emphasised that "humanitarian aid has no limitations," underlining the importance of international support in times of crisis.

This month Bolivia's government declared a national disaster with a record breaking amount of wildfires surpassing any previous years, reaching over 80,000 active forest fires.

Scientists say that while most fires are set by humans, recent hot and dry conditions are helping fires spread more quickly. The fires have also been exacerbated by drought and land clearances linked to booming cattle and grain production. 

UAE Ambassador to Peru, Ibrahim Al Alawi, reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to responding to humanitarian crises, reflecting its deep-rooted values of solidarity and cooperation.