UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan ordered emergency relief assistance to Afghan refugees, blocked at Iranian and Pakistani borders for fear of a US strike on Kabul, reported the Gulf News.
It said that President of UAE Red Crescent Society (RCS) Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has instructed the RCS to engage in the worldwide relief campaign spearheaded by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' Federation.
Sheikh Hamdan, who is also Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, instructed the RSC to prepare as quickly as possible the first consignment of relief supplies which include foodstuff, medicines, water, tents and blankets.
"Millions of refugees from Afghanistan have moved to bordering areas of neighboring countries and are facing difficult living conditions as many more are expected to arrive in the next few days and weeks," Sheikh Hamdan said.
"UN relief agencies and other bodies have warned of the danger of starvation in much of Afghanistan, while the government of Pakistan is already facing an enormous burden in trying to cope with the refugee problem," he added.
The UAE cut its diplomatic ties with Afghanistan because of its refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the September 12 attacks on the US – Albawaba.com
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