UAE has clothing drive for Syrian refugees

Volunteers in a Ras Al Khor warehouse yesterday faced a big task to sort out the many donations for war refugees in Syria. Jaime Puebla / The National

DUBAI // Teachers, students, families and businessmen have dropped off blankets, boots and jackets for Syrian refugees at collection points across the country in an overwhelming show of support.

Volunteers’ homes were full of plastic bags and boxes of warm clothing that residents brought in response to appeals on social media for a donation drive.

At a sorting centre inside a warehouse in Ras Al Khor industrial estate, school students joined volunteers from Flea 4 Charity in separating, labelling and packing the garments for men, women and children in different cardboard boxes.

“They need this and we need to give as much as we can,” said Hana Al Naji, 14, a pupil at Emirates International School.

“This makes you appreciate what you have and we must do this since we have a better life.”

Her friend and schoolmate Tala Nahhas, 15, said: “It is a disaster on such a large scale that everyone must do whatever they can to help.

“It is the least we can do to help but we all should do whatever we can.”

Clothing was dropped off at collection points in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Fujairah.

The drive began on Tuesday and will end on Monday.

“There have been so many people coming forward to help,” said Jihad M’Nasria, an organiser with Flea 4 Charity.

“Images of kids and people freezing to death in the snow have moved people. Everyone just wants to help in any way they can.”

Residents contacted local manufacturers of blankets and clothes to boost the collection drive.

“We got a bunch of suppliers locally who make blankets so we could purchase this at minimal cost,” said Nahil Damgai, a media planner, who tweeted, posted and texted appeals and has collected 260 blankets.

“Many people could not go and buy what was required so they contributed monetarily. We made clear what the blankets cost and went out and bought these.

“My phone has been ringing off the hook. There are teachers, businessmen, families and so many people I don’t know who are contributing. These are all regular people coming forward and their every dirham counts.”