UAE humanitarian drive for Lebanon raises Dh200m as 6,000 tonnes of aid sent

The three-month UAE Stands with Lebanon campaign delivered crucial support to the war-hit nation

Volunteers pack aid for Lebanon at the Sharjah Expo Centre in October. Ahmed Ramzan for The National

A UAE humanitarian drive in support of Lebanon raised nearly Dh200 million and led to 6,000 tonnes of crucial aid being delivered to citizens bearing the brunt of deadly conflict, it was announced on Monday.

The UAE Stands with Lebanon campaign was established in October in a show of solidarity with the Lebanese people during an Israeli army ground invasion and persistent air attacks, which caused thousands of deaths, the displacement of more than one million people and widespread destruction of public buildings and homes.

The initiative, which concluded last week, saw members of the public make financial pledges through the website of the Emirates Red Crescent, the charitable arm of the government, and a number of UAE banks affiliated with the campaign.

Thousands of people also turned out at aid events held across the country to pack essential supplies for citizens whose lives have been devastated by war.

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, deputy chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, and chairman of the International Philanthropic and Humanitarian Council and the board of trustees of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, said the huge outpouring of public support served to highlight the humanitarian values of the country and its leadership.

Sheikh Thayeb thanked all sections of society for their contribution to the cause over recent months.

Show of support

Aid for Lebanon being packed by volunteers at Expo Centre Sharjah. All photos: Ahmed Ramzan / The National

Organisers said 3,000 volunteers came out to support the event

Goods such as tinned food, blankets, rice, tea, dates and sugar were packed into boxes

The initiative is called 'UAE Stands With Lebanon'

Volunteers pack up blankets for the needy

The Sharjah drive and another one at Dubai Expo City, on Sunday, comprise a second round of aid collection to support Lebanon

Volunteers busy packing boxes of essential aid for displaced people in Lebanon

Volunteers came from different nationalities and all walks of life

The goods were packed into boxes and will be dispatched for Lebanon swiftly

Expo Centre Sharjah was thronged with volunteers looking to do their bit

Stephen Anderson, director of World Food Programme UAE and representative to the GCC, centre, packing boxes. Mr Anderson said the UAE had stepped up in a big way.

Volunteers packing vital supplies

The event ended at 1pm with 250 tonnes of aid packed

The UAE had initially allocated $100 million as urgent relief, in addition to $30 million for Lebanese citizens displaced to Syria.

A total of 22 planes and two ships loaded with food and medical supplies, shelter materials and other essentials were dispatched during the past three months in co-ordination with relevant Lebanese and international authorities such as the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Lebanon's Parliament elected army chief Joseph Aoun as President on Thursday. It ended a power vacuum that had persisted since 2022 and comes as the end of a 60-day ceasefire looms on January 26 and postwar reconstruction efforts take shape.

President Sheikh Mohamed on Saturday congratulated the new President in a telephone call, as the UAE said it would reopen its embassy in the Lebanese capital, three years after its closure.

Sheikh Mohamed wished Gen Aoun success in leading Lebanon and fulfilling the aspirations of its people for development and stability.

During the call, both leaders agreed to take steps to reopen the UAE’s embassy in Beirut.

Sheikh Mohamed stressed the UAE's commitment to supporting efforts that ensure Lebanon's security and stability.