AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), the ERC has launched its annual winter aid campaign to support 1,856,324 people in 24 countries at an estimated cost of Dh37,126,485.

More than Dh27 million has been allocated to assist 1,350,000 people in Gaza, reaffirming the UAE’s leading humanitarian role and its continued support for the Palestinian people.

To help communities facing severe weather conditions, the campaign will distribute winter clothing, blankets, heating supplies, food and hygiene parcels, children’s essentials, and shelter materials. Aid will be delivered through UAE embassies and ERC offices abroad to ensure rapid and efficient distribution.

Ahmed Sari Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the ERC, said the annual campaign strengthens the organisation’s response to the needs of vulnerable groups affected by harsh winter weather, adding that the initiative reflects the UAE’s longstanding humanitarian approach under the leadership of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed.

Ahmed noted that this year’s campaign is particularly significant due to escalating global crises and rising humanitarian needs.

“To address urgent situations and increasingly challenging living conditions in many regions, our national authority has broadened the scope of beneficiaries,” he said in an Arabic statement.

He stressed that a substantial portion of support is directed to Gaza, reflecting the UAE’s continued humanitarian and development efforts.

Ahmed thanked the Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 team for its cooperation, along with all local and international partners supporting the campaign.

Speaking to Aletihad, Saeed Suhail Al Mazrouei, Director of the Relief and Disaster Administration at ERC, said more than half of the campaign is dedicated to the Gaza Strip as Palestinians reel under the impact of winter rains and extreme weather conditions.

Saeed confirmed that relief aid, including tents and jackets, is already being shipped to Gaza.

To expedite the delivery and ensure the humanitarian support would reach as many Gazans as possible, goods would be procured from the local market in Egypt, he added.

Mohammed Al Shareef, spokesperson for Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, said the ERC is a key partner in delivering relief, underscoring the UAE’s values of solidarity and generosity. He highlighted the operation’s integrated relief efforts, which include air, land and sea deliveries, field humanitarian programmes and the establishment of field hospitals to serve vulnerable groups.

He said the ERC continues to play a pivotal role in providing essential supplies, facilitating transport and overseeing distribution, making the joint efforts a model of coordinated humanitarian action.