A charity event to raise funds to help refugees across the Middle East will be held in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Natale Con il Cuore, Italian for Christmas With the Heart, was launched by a group of Italian expatriate women and Matelda Starace, the wife of the Italian ambassador to the UAE, Giorgio Starace.
“As the number of people in need in the neighbouring countries has considerably increased, [we] have decided to stand up,” Mrs Starace said. “All the money collected throughout the project will be entirely donated to relieve the conditions of those whose lives have been seriously affected.”
An Italian non-governmental organisation, Intersos, will use funds collected through a series of initiatives in its camps and centres operating in the region.
The Christmas charity bazaar will be at the Italian Residence garden in Al Bateen, Street 10, Villa 9, from 11am to 5pm. The event will offer crafts, homemade goodies and raffles.
Other initiatives are planned to take place next year.
A number of charity events have been taking place across the UAE to support the Syrian cause. Earlier this month, more than Dh18 million was donated from the Big Heart Campaign to help refugee children. The funds went towards medical aid for 150,000 people.
The UAE had nine donors give Dh3.7 million gifts, the highest number, according to Coutts, the private banking firm,
cmalek@thenational.ae
