Under the patronage of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children and Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), has launched the ‘Sharjah International Award for refugee advocacy and support’ to recognise and pay tribute to those who have made distinguished humanitarian efforts for refugees and displaced families in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi's patronage of the award, which will be organised by TBHF in collaboration with UNHCR, reflects his keenness to advance global humanitarian work and to support outstanding efforts and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of millions of refugees and displaced families across the world.

"The launch of Sharjah International Award for refugee advocacy and support is in line with our enduring commitment to ending the suffering of refugees and also to inspire individuals and organisations to contribute to improving the lives of those who have been displaced by wars and armed conflict," said Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi.

"The award programme has been set up as a continuation of the approach of goodness and philanthropy as established by the UAE’s munificent leaders and in appreciation of the role played by the Emirate of Sharjah through the vision and guidance of H.H. Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi to support humanitarian initiatives at both the regional and international levels," she added.

Sheikha Jawaher underlined that the scheme will focus on honouring those who have contributed to providing food, healthcare, education and social solutions for refugees and displaced persons and helped in instilling within them confidence and hope for a better future. She noted that the UAE would always remain a beacon that lights the path for brotherly and friendly peoples across the world and would continue to support them and help alleviate their plight.

The award will be presented every year to a personality or entity that has contributed significantly to changing the lives of refugees and displaced families for the better. The winner will be honoured during a special ceremony to be held in Sharjah where they will receive a cash prize of USD 100,000, along with a trophy and certificate of appreciation.

The programme is open to individuals and organisations in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, with the award’s General Secretariat also welcoming submissions from the rest of the world provided that they address the issue of refugees and displaced people in geographic areas that fall within the scope of the award’s interest.

Award entries will be evaluated on the basis of the positive imprints they have left on the lives of the refugees and displaced persons, with a focus on the efficiency of financial and human resources management, governance practices, transparency, accountability and effective communication with the public during the implementation of humanitarian work.

The General Secretariat of the Sharjah International Award for refugee advocacy and support will organise an annual programme of events and activities for individuals and organisations to introduce them to the award, outlining its vision, goals and terms of participation. An orientation programme will also be conducted in collaboration with local, regional and international charitable bodies that will include presentations on international humanitarian law and training courses on how to support refugees and displaced persons.

The award's Board of Trustees will be formed at the beginning of 2017 and its coordinator general will also be appointed in collaboration with UNHCR. The award's coordinators will work closely with persons and organisations nominated for the award to ensure that their submitted entries relate to the humanitarian cases of refugees in those areas.