Dhabi, Nov. 19th, 2008 --United Nations has hailed the UAE initiative to host the launch sessions of the World Consolidated Appeal (CAP) 2009 in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 25, coinciding with the launch of Unified (CAP) from UN office in Geneva.

The call, which will be launched by Deputy Prime Minister HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aims at mobilising donors to assist people in dire humanitarian conditions due to the natural calamities and conflicts. The UNHCR commissioner Antonio Gutaris, will represent UN in the event.

The international body said it was the first time the CAP would be launched from the Middle East in recognition of the role played by the UAE to ease burden on the needy people worldwide.

John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said the international body was appreciative about the initiatives adopted by the UAE to boost humanitarian values. He added that the UAE is one of major donors of the UN programmes across the globe.

On his part, Saadou Gul, representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the UAE, lauded the support rendered by the UAE to better conditions of the refugees across the world. *WAM/MN)