ABU DHABI // Humanitarian aid and donations from the UAE to Syrian refugees suffering in freezing conditions have “helped to save lives”, an official from the United Nations refugee body said.
Andrew Harper, the UNHCR representative in Jordan, said they had so far received 89,000 blankets from the Emirates under the Show Compassion campaign, flown in from Dubai in 747 cargo planes.
Despite heavy snow that closed several roads in Jordan, the blankets had been distributed to the needy.
“As soon as the cargo lands, it is transported from the plane to trucks, and then to several locations around Jordan, mainly the camps,” Mr Harper said. “They were distributed within 18 hours. It has been extremely useful. It has helped save lives.
“Anything more would be great,” he said. “I went to the Zaatari camp today. People were cold and wet.”
Mr Harper said the UAE had also pledged to give another US$1 million (Dh3.67m). He said the money would serve as cash assistance to vulnerable women, children and families, which helps to restore refugees’ dignity.
The families, he said, had been identified.
“This underlined how important a friend the UAE is of Jordan and to the Syrian refugees at a critical time,” Mr Harper said.
On Sunday, Emirates airline announced that it would be donating Dh5 million to the Show Compassion (Tarahumu) campaign.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates airlines and group, said: “The outpouring received for the Tarahumu campaign has become a positive inspiration in itself, encouraging even more entities and individuals to step up and pledge support.
“Emirates is keen to do our part and our contribution to the campaign will help provide vital aid to refugees around the region, who are weathering one of the biggest snowstorms to hit the Levant to date.”
The UNHCR said it was impressed by the quick response from the Emirates when the campaign began on Tuesday, as people responded to calls from the President, Sheikh Khalifa, to help refugees.
The storm, named Huda, is the worst seen in the Middle East in decades. Three people have died from the cold in Lebanon and three children were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, called on residents to take part in the campaign, which is aiming to help a million refugees in Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan, and Palestinians in Gaza.
An aircraft carrying 40 tonnes of aid arrived in the Jordanian capital Amman on Sunday.
The flight was operated by Maximus Air, the UAE-based cargo airline.
Chief executive of Maximus Air, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qasimi, said the flight was part of the UAE humanitarian airlift ordered by the President.
Fahad Abdulrahman, deputy secretary general of Emirates Red Crescent, said donations increased on the sixth day of the campaign.
Anyone wishing to donate blankets or winter clothes can do so at any of the Emirates Red Crescent branches. All items must be new and unused.
osalem@thenational.ae
