The UAE has sent its 23rd aircraft full of aid to Lebanon, carrying 35 tonnes of medical supplies as part of its "UAE stands with Lebanon” campaign.
The vital aid includes medical devices and equipment and essentials needed in hospitals and health centres across Lebanon. The $100 million aid initiative was launched by President Sheikh Mohamed in response to Israel's invasion and persistent air strikes, which caused thousands of deaths, the displacement of more than one million people and widespread destruction of buildings.
Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, vice chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, stressed the country's commitment to support embattled civilians in the country. "The need for medical essentials, devices and equipment ... [is] greater than ever before," he said. The UAE, he added, is "providing aid to the people who are in dire need of it, after consulting concerned local and international authorities and relief agencies in Lebanon".
The Emirates sent an aid ship loaded with 3,000 tonnes of crucial relief supplies to the Beirut port on January 12. 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 the deadly conflict, it was announced on Monday.
Under the initiative, which concluded in the first week of January, members of the public made 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.
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The ceasefire agreement in November last year ended more than a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which culminated in a war. The truce was followed by Lebanon's former army chief Gen Joseph Aoun being elected as president. Soon after, the UAE announced it is taking steps to reopen its embassy in Beirut, three years after it closed.
During a call with the new Lebanese leader, President Sheikh Mohamed congratulated and wished him success in leading the country and fulfilling the aspirations of its people. Sheikh Mohamed stressed the UAE's commitment to supporting efforts to ensure Lebanon's security and stability.
