ABU DHABI // More than Dh6 million is being donated to displaced families in Jordan to mark Eid.
The Big Heart for Syrian Refugee Children campaign is giving Dh6.6m to help 12,000 families with an average of six children each.
They have all fled the Syrian civil war, in which an estimated 100,000 have died and 1.9 million have sought refuge in countries including Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Libya.
Half of the refugees are believed to be children.
The founder of the Big Heart campaign is Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. She is the first Arab woman to be appointed an Eminent Advocate of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
"In Ramadan, our holiest time of the year, it is extremely sad to think many Syrian refugees are spending Eid worrying about a roof over their head and food to feed their families, medicine for the sick and education for their children," Sheikha Jawaher said.
"This gift is a small way of showing refugees that they are not alone, because each day more donors are showing their big hearts.
"We will never let Syrian refugee mothers and children drown in their own tears."
About 8,000 people flee Syria every day.
"What pains us most is that some young children have actually spent more time as refugees than in their own country," Sheikha Jawaher said.
"This is not their first Ramadan in such heartbreaking conditions, but God willing it will be their last as refugees and they will be able to return to their homes."
People can donate to the campaign by texting "donate" to the following numbers. Etisalat users should send the text to: 2000 to give Dh10, 2002 (Dh50), 2003 (Dh100). Du users should text to: 9965 (Dh10), 9967 (Dh50), 9968 (Dh100).
You can also contact the Big Heart campaign by calling 06 594 1111/15/03.
