DUBAI // The UAE Red Crescent has sent nine planes loaded with humanitarian aid to Libya.
The first plane took off for Benghazi on Monday while other eight planes are expected to follow soon. They will be carrying 300 tonnes of food, medicines, medical accessories and other supplies.
The Emirates Red Crescent Secretary General. Dr Mohamed Al Falahi said that the deployed aircraft will help the people of Libya, now facing an increasingly desperate situation.
This is the second time the UAE has sent aid since the conflict that toppled Muammar Qadhafi began five years ago.
Dr Al Falahi said this initiative will hopefully alleviate the suffering of people in Libya, where the delivery of even essential services has collapsed.
“The ERC had now entered a new phase in its efforts to bring about tangible improvement in the humanitarian situation in Libya, particularly in some of the worse affected districts” said Dr Al Falahi.
The directives for this initiative came from the President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and has full support from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. It’s also being carried out under the guidance of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent.
“The move is consistent with the UAE’s policy of extending support to friends and brothers in their hour of need. It reflects the country’s close follow-up on the developments in Libya. It could not have been timelier as the humanitarian situation in Libya has deteriorated drastically over the past few months” explained Dr Al Falahi.
The first UAE-Libya air bridge in 2012 has helped Libyan refugees crossing over to neighbouring Tunisia at the peak of the crisis, setting up tented camps for refugees at the border, where health, educational and other support, including food and medical supplies was provided.
The UAE has also equipped hospitals, gave medicine and other supplies, as well as donated ambulances and other necessary help.
nalremeithi@thenational.ae
