His Highness Sheikh Hamdan said that the UAE pursues a comprehensive approach to refugee and displacement issues, centred on developing innovative solutions to alleviate the humanitarian and developmental impacts of displacement, addressing their underlying causes by supporting disadvantaged communities, and promoting initiatives that reinforce security, stability, peace, coexistence and human fraternity.

Marking World Refugee Day, commemorated annually on 20th June, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan said that the UAE’s pioneering initiatives to empower refugees complement global efforts to alleviate the challenges they face due to displacement and help provide them with better living conditions.

In this regard, Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the initiatives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the “Mother of the Nation”, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and Honorary Chairwoman of the Emirates Red Crescent, to improve the conditions of refugees through the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women, established under her generous initiative.

The fund has strengthened her ongoing efforts to empower refugee women economically, socially and psychologically, and has brought about a qualitative transformation in programmes and projects for women in developing communities.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan affirmed that the UAE’s efforts to improve refugees’ quality of life are rooted in the values and humanitarian principles it has upheld for decades. These efforts aim to mitigate the hardships of displacement, help refugees rebuild their lives, and support host communities through development projects that address health, education and basic living needs.

He highlighted the strategic partnership between the ERC and the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to support refugees around the world. This partnership has led to the implementation of numerous initiatives, programmes and projects, significantly enhancing the services provided to refugees, particularly in the health and education sectors.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan also praised UNHCR's role in serving millions of refugees and improving their humanitarian conditions.