The UAE's largest Gaza aid ship carrying a fully equipped field hospital and 7,166 tonnes of vital supplies has docked in Egypt's Al Arish Port on a major humanitarian mission.
The Khalifa set sail from Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi on July 21, loaded with 4,372 tonnes of food, 1,433 tonnes of shelter supplies, 860 tonnes of medical materials and 501 tonnes of health items.
It is the eighth aid ship to be sent by the Emirates as part of the country's Operation Gallant Knight 3, a relief campaign launched after the outbreak of war with Israel on October 7, 2023.
The Khalifa was met by a delegation of representatives from humanitarian and charitable groups, along with Ahmed Sari Al Mazrouei, secretary general of the Emirates Red Crescent, and Egyptian officials.
The critical aid on board is to be transported from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, providing a vital lifeline to embattled Palestinians bearing the brunt of a worsening humanitarian crisis.
UAE pledges support
The UAE has provided more than $1.5 billion in financial support to Gaza since the start of the conflict, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The comprehensive assistance has included more than 80,000 tonnes of aid to help alleviate the suffering of Gazans facing chronic food shortages and limited access to health care.
About 60,100 Palestinians have been killed and 150,027 injured since the war began, according to the latest figures released by the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
The UN children's fund said on Monday that an average of 28 children a day have been killed in Israel's war on the Gaza Strip.
"Death by bombardments. Death by malnutrition and starvation. Death by lack of aid and vital services," Unicef said on X. "In Gaza, an average of 28 children a day – the size of a classroom – have been killed."
The agency said more than 18,000 children have been killed in Gaza over the past 22 months.
Unicef added that "Gaza's children need food, water, medicine and protection. More than anything, they need a ceasefire – now."
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
