Millions of Yemenis benefit from Emirates Red Crescent Ramadan programmes

Clothes, food and other humanitarian aid distributed

Emirates Red Crescent is distributing 2,000 food baskets and relief in Taez, Yemen. Wam

More than seven million people have benefited from Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) Ramadan programmes in the Yemeni governorates of Shabwa, Hadramwt, Taez, Hodeidah, Aden and Socotra, state news agency Wam reported.

Clothes, food and other humanitarian aid was distributed in time for Ramadan, which is expected to begin early next month.

The programmes follow a directive from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Mohammed Al Falahi, ERC secretary general, said the assistance shows the UAE's commitment to Yemen.

The conflict in Yemen began when Iran-backed Houthi rebels took over the capital Sanaa in 2014, starting a civil war that has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

The UAE this week called on the international community to exert more pressure on the rebels.

It has provided Yemen with more than $6.3 billion of aid since 2015.

Yemen's animal rescuers – in pictures

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  Galal Al-Amrawi, a member of a registered organisation that looked after animals in Aden, said it was forced to shut down after two years because of lack of financing. Photo: Galal Al-Amrawi

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  Members of Ata’a Initiative for Environment and Animal Welfare rescued horses that survived air strikes aimed at military stables in March 2020. Photo: Ata’a Initiative for Environment and Animal Welfare

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  With one volunteer vet and a limited budget, the group of animal lovers in Sanaa has been providing medical care and shelter to distressed animals, despite the grave humanitarian situation resulting from the war. Photo: Ata’a Initiative for Environment and Animal Welfare

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  Galal Al-Amrawi still cares for animals at his dog training academy in Aden. Photo: Galal Al-Amrawi

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  Galal Al-Amrawi founded the academy to train dogs to detect explosives and drugs. Photo: Galal Al-Amrawi

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  Organisations such as Ata’a Initiative for Environment and Animal Welfare aim to challenge the widespread misconception that animals are not entitled to rights and encourage people to be compassionate and tender in their treatment of all creatures. Photo: Nahla Alqadsi

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  Ata’a provides shelter for abused animals, including this dog who was beaten by its owner and deprived of food and adopted by another home after the group posted about it on its Facebook page. Photo: Ata’a Initiative for Environment and Animal Welfare