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UAE hosted over 17,500 Afghan refugees since 2021 before their final relocation
The UAE also facilitated the evacuation of 41,000 people, including Afghans and foreign nationals residing in Afghanistan, in response to requests from friendly countries
The UAE hosted 17,619 Afghans evacuees since August 2021, after the takeover of Taliban, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday, July 24.
The evacuees were housed at the 'Emirates Humanitarian City' in Abu Dhabi, where authorities provided them with high-quality services and facilities before their departure to 21 final destinations.
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Taliban forces seized Kabul on August 15, 2021, after the US-backed government collapsed and its leaders fled into exile. Trump, on Sunday, July 20, said he would help Afghan evacuees who fled their country and were temporarily housed in the United Arab Emirates. "I will try to save them, starting right now," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
The UAE, a close security partner of the United States, agreed in 2021 to temporarily house several thousand Afghans evacuated from Kabul as the Taliban ousted the US-backed government during the final stages of the US-led withdrawal.
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The UAE's total cost of hosting the evacuees reached Dh1.348 billion (USD 367 million), which covered a comprehensive temporary shelter that ensured human dignity and met all essential needs, particularly for children, elderly, and women.
During this time, the assistance covered aspects like healthcare, logistical and diplomatic services, communications, shelter, and food, ensuring comfort, a dignified life, and wellbeing. Financial support was also given to families to stabilise their lives in their destinations.
To help Afghans reach their final destinations, all services related to departure procedures were provided within the Emirates Humanitarian City. Seventeen offices were opened for the embassies of the concerned countries, as well as an office for the US Citizenship and Immigration Service, a United Nations Migration Agency office, a US Customs and Border Protection office, and two offices for international non-governmental organisations.
The ministry's statement also added that "the UAE spared no effort in supporting the Afghan people and was among the first countries to take the initiative to assist Afghanistan. It also promotes solidarity with peoples during the most difficult circumstances and crises facing countries."
The UAE also facilitated the evacuation of 41,000 people, including Afghans and foreign nationals residing in Afghanistan, in response to requests from friendly countries.
This initiative was part of the UAE’s cooperation with international partners to support the Afghan people during the exceptional circumstances the country experienced.
Access to healthcare
During the Covid-19 crisis and other medical situations, the UAE ensured care for residents of the Emirates Humanitarian City, both Afghans and foreign nationals.
This included providing necessary vaccines and preventative treatments, with 34,923 vaccines delivered to all, with the participation of various specialised medical teams.
In addition to this, the country provided optimal healthcare to more than 303 newborns, performed more than 303 various surgeries across various specialties, treated more than three cases outside the UAE, and provided more than 254,572 medical services to the city's residents, ensuring comprehensive healthcare throughout their temporary stay.
Education
Regarding education and vocational training for Afghans, the UAE provided school education to more than 3,764 Afghans, and approximately 800 children were enrolled in educational nurseries.
School transportation was provided throughout this time and continuous monitoring was carried out. Relevant authorities had also organised more than 39 educational and cultural training courses for the city's residents, in addition to training and professional development workshops that have benefited 2,589 Afghans.
Other facilities
The Emirates Humanitarian City also offered daily amentities to enhance the evacuees' lives.
This included outdoor spaces with several playgrounds and entertainment facilities for children, women, and the elderly, in addition to a preventative health center. The city provided all necessary means of subsistence, including medicine, food, and other necessities for a residence that reflects the values and traditions of Emirati society.
The UAE is one of the largest donor countries to Afghanistan, assisting it in its crisis. Over the past three years, it has provided humanitarian and relief support amounting to Dh740 million. This support included an airlift of relief supplies, using aircraft loaded with hundreds of tons of relief and food supplies, benefiting more than one million people, most of whom are children, the elderly, and women.
The UAE also provided medical assistance to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, and opened 10 maternity and women's care centers in seven Afghan provinces.
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