Hala Al-Khayyat (Abu Dhabi)
The “Tarahum - for Gaza”, or “Compassion – for Gaza”, campaign is continuing to receive in-kind donations at all 26 centres designated by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) distributed across all emirates.
The Emirates Red Crescent, in collaboration with the World Food Programme and in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Community Development, has called for widespread participation in the community initiative, which will last for multiple weeks.
The campaign, which began on Sunday under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi Authority for the Emirates Red Crescent and with the participation of humanitarian and charitable institutions, volunteer centres, the private sector, and volunteers, aims to mobilise humanitarian relief to support families, children, and vulnerable groups in Gaza, and to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian families and children affected by the conflict.
On its first day, campaign volunteers wrapped and packed 13,000 parcels of food, medical aid, and personal essentials to support beneficiaries in Gaza. The campaign seeks to alleviate the harsh humanitarian conditions and alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable groups, including women and especially children, who make up about half of Gaza’s population.
The ERC announced that the in-kind materials received at its centres will be distributed into three types of baskets that will then be sent via parcels.
The food basket includes 14 items, including flour, oil, dates, beans, whole chickpeas, green peas, corn, tuna, canned meats, tea, salt, sugar, and biscuits. The women’s basket includes blankets, sanitisers, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and personal belongings.
The children’s basket contains powdered milk, Cerelac baby food, Aptamil liquid milk, nutritional supplements, soap, diapers, biscuits, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body cream, and baby bottles.
Several schools have started encouraging their students to participate in the campaign by collecting aid boxes throughout the week to be sent to the ERC’s Abu Dhabi collection centres at the end of the week. School administrations said that much-needed items for donation include baby formula, canned food, and cleaning supplies such as baby wipes, baby diapers, soap, shampoo, and hand sanitisers, in addition to health essentials like first aid supplies, sterile water, disposable gloves, and burn cloths.
UAE families can send any in-kind donations directly to the ERC centres. Locations for in-kind donationsThe ERC announced 26 donation collection centres in various areas of the country for in-kind donations.
In Abu Dhabi, donations can be made at the caravans stationed at the following locations: Airport Street opposite Carrefour, Marina Mall, Al Shahama opposite Baniyas Cooperative Society, Al Najda Street next to Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, Khalifa City behind the shops, Bani Yas City next to Lulu Hypermarket, Al Shawamekh city opposite Lulu Express, and Bani Yas City opposite Bani Yas Cooperative Society.
In Al Ain, samples will be received at the warehouses in Al Markhaniya area. In Al Dhafra, in-kind aid can be received at the ERC offices in Zayed City, Dhanna City, and Al Sila City.
In Dubai, in-kind donations are accepted at the Dubai ERC headquarters and its warehouses in Al Quoz.
In Sharjah, donations can be dropped off at the Nakheelat office, and in Fujairah donations can be made at the ERC’s headquarters, as well as at a tent in Dubai Islamic Bank - Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Sharqi Street 83.
In Umm Al Quwain donations can be dropped off at the ERC centre, and in Ajman at the ERC’s headquarters.
In Ras Al Khaimah, donations can be received at the ERC’s headquarters, as well as caravans located in Ras Al Khaimah, Al Sham, Al Maireedh near the Eid prayer ground, South Dhait, and Al Rams.
Anyone wishing to make financial donations can do so through the ERC account at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank.