Wednesday January 15, 2025

UAE donates USD10m to victims of hurricane in Florida

Published : 21 Sep 2017, 23:33

DF-Xinhua Report

A woman walks by a tree broken by strong wind after Hurricane Irma swept through the area, in Miami, Florida, the United States, on Sept. 11, 2017. Powerful Hurricane Irma roared into Florida and knocked out power to more than 3 million homes and businesses in Florida on Sunday. Photo Xinhua.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Washington said UAE government has pledged 10 million U.S. dollars for recovery following the Hurricane Irma, which brought widespread devastation to Florida in the United States, UAE state news agency WAM reported on Thursday.

UAE ambassador to the United States Yousef Al-Otaiba spoke with Florida Governor Rick Scott about the donation, which will help the recovery work in some of the most hard-hit parts of the state, said WAM.

"The people of the UAE stand with the people of Florida who have been impacted by Hurricane Irma," said Al-Otaiba. "We are inspired by the spirit and determination of all Floridians during this difficult time, and are confident that the areas most impacted by Irma will recover stronger than ever."

Scott said the donation will benefit families who are working to recover from Hurricane Irma.

"We appreciate this support to the Florida Disaster Fund," he added.

Before Irma struck Florida, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on Sept. 7 ordered the dispatch of a special aircraft to help evacuate Emirati citizens from Florida.