ABU DHABI

INT43International/Diplomacy/EconomyUAE gives $54.4 mn aid to AfghanistanAbu Dhabi, Sep 22 IANS The United Arab Emirates UAE has made a donation of 200 million dirhams $54.4 million to Afghanistan for aiding the country’s reconstruction efforts, a state-run agency said.The grant, made by the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will be used to build infrastructure, the Emirates News Agency WAM reported.It said the grant would help Afghani people to tap their energy and resources for reconstruction work on one hand and contribute to the ongoing efforts for restoring security and stability on the other.Sheikh Khalifa has directed the Khalifa Bin Zayed Charity Foundation to coordinate with competent Afghani authorities to allocate and channel funds into sustainable social, economic, health, educational and essential services utilities projects, the report said.Founded in 1992 and named after the UAE’s founding father, the Zayed Foundation has a diversified operational field and contributes to all types of charity in coordination with national and international organisations, in order to promote the presence of the UAE on all international charitable and humanitarian boards.--Indo-Asian News Serviceab/pb/jg189 Words22091510