A/HRC/38/14 assistance to people worldwide, and had maintained its ranking as the world’s biggest donor in proportion to gross national income. 19. The United Arab Emirates continued to alleviate the plight of Syrian refugees. Since the onset of the crisis, the United Arab Emirates had welcomed over 130,000 persons fleeing the violence in the Syrian Arab Republic, and had pledged to take in a further 15,000 persons in need of assistance. 20. In Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and the Arab coalition continued to make every effort to support and deliver humanitarian assistance and to protect civilians. Under extremely challenging circumstances, the coalition was working hard to reinstate the legitimate government of Yemen. Since the ongoing conflict in Yemen had escalated, the United Arab Emirates had provided over $2.5 billion in aid and, with its partners, had brought food and water and health care and other life-saving services to millions of persons and rebuilt and reopened a number of schools and medical centres in liberated areas. 21. However, the current humanitarian challenges could only truly be addressed by negotiating inclusive political settlements to the region’s civil wars. The political resolution of the crises in the Syrian Arab Republic, Yemen and Libya was of paramount importance, and the efforts of the United Arab Emirates in that field continued. 22. The United Arab Emirates was alarmed at recent statements relating to the status of Jerusalem, and urged progress on ensuring the right of Palestinians to an independent State, which would have a positive impact on many other challenges in the region. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 23. During the interactive dialogue, 97 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 24. Bahrain welcomed efforts to implement the recommendations from the previous review cycle and the progress achieved. 25. Libya praised the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. 26. Liechtenstein expressed concern that cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment was judicially imposed on children, and that the death penalty had been retained. 27. Malaysia commended progress in the areas of labour, social welfare, health care, education, empowerment of women, children’s rights, older persons and persons with disabilities. 28. Maldives commended steps taken to combat human trafficking, and the National Strategy for the Empowerment and Advancement of Emirati Women. 29. Mauritania applauded developments at the normative and institutional levels, and consistent policies and strategies to strengthen human rights. 30. Mexico welcomed the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. 31. Mongolia encouraged the United Arab Emirates to extend an open-ended, standing invitation to all special procedures of the Human Rights Council. 32. Montenegro welcomed efforts to improve education for women and children, and noted the need to include measures relating to positive and non-violent forms of childrearing. 33. Morocco welcomed steps to implement National Vision 2021, the National Tolerance Programme and the national strategy to combat human trafficking. 34. Mozambique commended the submission of reports to treaty bodies covering the rights of the child, of women and of persons with disabilities and racial discrimination. 4