VATICAN CITY // Ways to combat hunger worldwide were discussed between Princess Haya bint Al Hussein and Pope Francis during a meeting at the Vatican on Thursday.
Their talks came as Princess Haya – wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai – prepared to oversee a delivery of 90 metric tonnes of aid supplies to Haitians affected by Hurricane Matthew.
In her capacity as UN Messenger of Peace and Chairwoman of Dubai’s International Humanitarian City, Princess Haya described UAE efforts to provide aid and promote tolerance worldwide.
The city has become the largest and busiest logistics hub for humanitarian aid in the world, she said, according to a statement from Dubai Media Office.
Princess Haya then attended the United for Peace charity football match before meeting an airlift from IHC at Rome airport during its refuelling stop before travelling to Port-au-Prince.
She will fly to Haiti to personally deliver and oversee the distribution of relief supplies following the hurricane that killed at least 1,000 people after hitting the Caribbean island last week.
At least 1.4 million Haitians need immediate assistance and nearly 300,000 are living in temporary shelter after their homes were destroyed.
A total of US$350,000 (Dh1.29 million) in aid was transported on a 747B-400 owned by Sheikh Mohammed and is expected to help about 340,000 people.
The aid includes water purification units, mosquito nets, medical supplies and tents.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
