ABU DHABI // Hundreds of thousands of children in refugee camps will soon be enjoying Arabic story books donated by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.
About 100,000 books will reach more than 400,000 children through public libraries in Yemen and refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon and northern Iraq.
Marib city in Yemen will receive the first batch of 1,000 books for four public libraries. The books, worth Dh3.5 million, were distributed with the support of UAE Red Crescent Authority, said the MBRF.
Jamal bin Huwaireb, managing director of MBRF, said the initiative would enhance the status of the UAE as a centre of culture and knowledge.
“The UAE leadership has always supported the development of science and knowledge, especially through such initiatives,” he said.
Fahad Al Menhali, Yemen’s ambassador to the UAE, said that the country was selected since thousands of children were deprived of education because of the war.
“A low level of education has led to the emergence of extremism in Yemen, as well as several other countries. Knowledge is the key to check the spread of such an environment. We thank the UAE leadership and people for standing with the Yemeni people,” he said.
Mohammed Al Zarouni, director of the Emirates Red Crescent in Dubai, said the Reading Nation campaign reflected the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, for children in refugee camps.
“Children want books instead of toys. They love reading,” said Mr Al Zarouni.
The Reading Nation campaign aims to provide five million books to needy pupils in refugee camps and set up 2,000 libraries in the Arab world.
akhaishgi@thenational.ae
