UAE ALLOCATES $544.6M TO DEAL WITH STORM DAMAGE TO HOMES, PM SAYS

Wed 24 April 2024:

The United Arab Emirates’ cabinet has approved 2 billion dirhams ($544.60 million) to deal with damage to homes from last week’s storm, Prime Minister and Dubai ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, said on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

The UAE suffered the heaviest rains this month in 75 years, causing widespread flooding which trapped residents in traffic, offices and homes, and leaving many people counting the cost of damage to vehicles and property.

Rains are uncommon in the UAE, which is known for its hot desert climate and temperatures that can soar above 50 degrees Celsius in the summer.

President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered authorities last week to assess the damage and provide support to families impacted by the storm, UAE state news agency, WAM, had said.

The extensive clean up and recovery operations delivered by the authorities and local communities began following the aftermath of the storms, with this including removal of debris and necessary repairs. In Sharjah alone, the city municipality had deployed 670 water tanker trucks and pumps by Wednesday to drain the rainwater from where it had collected.

“Emergency response teams — including civil defense, ambulances, and police — will continue ‘intensive efforts’ to ensure full recovery,” said the government as part of a statement.

In Dubai, a selection of the emirate’s property developers are offering free maintenance for damaged properties, alternative housing, cleaning services, as well as assistance in assessing any ongoing risks to housing. In addition, a leading electronics organization is reportedly offering free repairs and maintenance for any electronic goods damaged in the floods. The Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan, has also instructed the development of a committee to review requests from citizens. Of course, this range of support schemes, based upon a collaboration between the public and private sectors of the emirate, will likely speed up the recovery process of those based in Dubai.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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