Appeals from President Sheikh Khalifa for government entities, charity organisations and businesses to raise funds for refugees and people suffering in a powerful snowstorm sweeping the Levant region are being heeded as rushed relief shipments and aid from the UAE started arriving at refugee camps on Wednesday morning.
As part of the UAE’s response to the plight of the Syrian refugees, the President on Tuesday ordered an airlift to transport winter clothing, blankets, food and other essential items to the refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, in addition to affected people in Gaza and other parts of Palestine.
He also launched the Tarahamu (Show Compassion) campaign with the aim of providing warmth for one million people to survive the harsh winter as the Levant countries are hit by snowstorm Huda, which is expected to cause temperatures to drop to -4°C. Winds exceeding speeds of 110kph are forecast.
The first aircraft of the airlift, which departed from the International Humanitarian City, landed in Jordan on Wednesday.
The Emirates Red Crescent has started distribution of relief packages in Jordan and Iraqi Kurdistan.
In the UAE, the campaign received great response from individuals and organisations alike.
Dubai Islamic Bank Foundation donated Dh10 million, while the Fujairah Welfare Association, Union Cooperative Society, Al Ansari Exchange, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and the Water and Environment and Energy Exhibition donated Dh1m each.
Similarly, businessmen, including Khalaf Al Habtoor, chairman of Al Habtoor Group, and managing director of the supermarket chain Lulu, Yusuff Ali, pledged Dh1m.
Human Appeal International, under the instructions of Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, earmarked Dh846,000 as a first tranche of assistance for the refugees, state news agency Wam reported.
HAI said it had procured blankets, gas heating stoves and warm clothing, for 2,141 families or 10705 individuals.
The ERC has confirmed that those interested in joining the campaign and contributing could drop their donations at any of its branches, in addition to accepting monetary donations via SMS through Etisalat and du networks, or calling the toll-free number 800 733.
Over the next few days, Dubai Cares plans to launch initiatives at malls around the country to collect winter donations from members of the public. Initiatives will be launched at schools.
The response comes as the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development (Micad) published a humanitarian brief on Wednesday which said more than nine million Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons would require humanitarian assistance this winter.
Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, hailed the persistent efforts of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union and Honorary President of the ERC, to provide support for Syrian refugees in Jordan this winter.
On Friday, all media will air a broadcast to cover the fundraiser, according to Wam.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
