UAE’s aid campaign for Lebanon totals hundreds of millions in cash and over 4,000 tons of supplies

UAE Launches AED 100 Million Aid Campaign for Lebanon Amid Humanitarian Crisis

ABU DHABI [UAE], October 30: Lebanon has come under attack from Israel, a humanitarian disaster, with thousands of homes destroyed and tens of thousands of Lebanese fleeing to Syria.

Amid the crisis, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) began mobilizing resources to quickly deliver relief supplies to the people there. UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced a two-week aid campaign in the first week of October titled “The UAE stands with Lebanon”, which was later extended to an allocation of AED 100 million.

Aid distribution was carried out in close coordination with international organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Cross Societies, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and UNHCR.

It has been three weeks since the UAE aid campaign was announced. Under the auspices of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, the campaign seeks to unite government-sponsored collections and public collection drives. The Council mobilized various humanitarian organizations and charities working in different emirates and brought them together so that efforts were brought together in a coordinated manner.

The recently formed council to coordinate the UAE’s diverse development, humanitarian and philanthropic efforts across the continent is chaired by Sheikh Diab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court and son of the UAE President. Held in four cities – Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Fujairah, the collection was well received by the public.

Notably, the response was so great that Dubai and Abu Dhabi held two collection events each on consecutive weekends to accommodate the public’s desire to lend a helping hand to the Lebanese people.

Three weeks later, the UAE has provided relief goods worth AED 100 million to people in Lebanon and AED 30 million to Lebanese refugees in Syria.

A total of 15 planes, including two for refugees in Syria, and a ship carrying 2,635 tons of relief supplies were dispatched within three weeks. The cargo includes food and medical supplies, shelter equipment, ambulances and essential items for women and children.

These are augmented by money and goods collected from the public from various emirates, amounting to AED 122 million and 1200 tonnes of relief goods (45,000 parcels).

Collection drives were organized by various donor agencies under the supervision of the council and 16687 volunteers actively participated and helped in packing and organizing the relief items.

About 24 donors and voluntary organizations participated in the relief aid collection activities.

These include the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Hamadabination Sharqini Hamadabination. Charity and Humanitarian Foundation in Dubai, Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities, Dubai Humanitarian, Dubai Cares, Sharjah Foundation, International Humanitarian City, The Big Heart Foundation, Emirates Foundation, Volunteers- Emirates Foundation, Sharjah Center for Voluntary Work, Fujairah Charity. Association, Watani Al Emirates Foundation, International Charity Organization, Emirates Foundation Association, Sharjah Foundation, Dar Al Ber Society, Dubai Foundation and Dubai Foundation Day.

The campaign is still on and the UAE will not take any action until full recovery and restoration of security and stability in Lebanon.

According to UAE leaders, philanthropy is in the nation’s DNA and derives from the legacy of the country’s founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who always emphasized the UAE’s ethical responsibility to support people in need everywhere. He once said, “We hope that the benefit of the riches which God has bestowed upon us should reach our friends and brethren.”