Today's Edition
HALA AL KHAYYAT (ABU DHABI)
The “Tarahum - for Gaza”, or “Compassion - for Gaza” campaign successfully prepared 38,000 parcels of in-kind aid during its fourth community event since its launch on October 14. The community initiative falls within the UAE’s efforts to alleviate the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and lift the suffering of the most vulnerable groups, including women and especially children, who make up about half of the area’s population.
On Sunday, about 3,500 male and female volunteers representing various segments of Emirati society helped package 13,000 relief aid parcels, expressing their solidarity with the people affected by the conflict.
About 3,500 male and female volunteers participated in the campaign
The event, which began in the early morning hours at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), witnessed wide participation from children, senior citizens, and residents, as well as people of determination, who contributed to the preparation of parcels containing food, blankets, health supplies, and general hygiene materials, in preparation for their transport into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah Crossing, enhancing international efforts to provide humanitarian aid and relief to the Palestinian people.
Volunteers helped prepare parcels containing food, blankets, health supplies and general hygiene materials
Rashed Mubarak Al Mansoori, Deputy Secretary-General of the Local Affairs Sector of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), confirmed in statements to the press that “Tarahum - for Gaza” will continue in the coming weeks. Activities will include additional community events to prepare in-kind aid parcels with the efforts of volunteers. These events will be announced through the ERC’s various official platforms at the end of the coming week, according to Al Mansoori.
Al Mansoori praised the cooperation of all humanitarian and charitable institutions and volunteers of various nationalities who contributed to the campaign, in addition to those who made financial and in-kind donations. He expressed his gratitude to the volunteers, who rushed to help in the process of packaging the aid, as a clear proof of their love for humanity, giving nature, and desire to help alleviate humanitarian suffering.
Al Mansoori said: “The people of the UAE have been brought up on goodness and humanity, and wherever a disaster occurs anywhere in the world, you will find the Emirati people contributing to alleviate people’s suffering.”
Al Mansoori indicated that the relief aid will reach the people of the Gaza Strip through official international channels represented by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the World Food Programme (WFP), noting that there is coordination with the Egyptian government to deliver the aid as soon as possible.
Al Mansoori confirmed that in-kind and cash donations are accepted through the ERC’s official channels, adding that this community initiative is a continuation of the country’s efforts to provide aid to the Palestinian people.
On Saturday, a plane carrying 120 tonnes of various food and relief aid was sent to the city of El-Arish in the Arab Republic of Egypt, in cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP).
The “Tarahum - for Gaza,” campaign supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Ministry of Community Development, in cooperation with the ERC and the WFP, and with the participation of 20 charitable and humanitarian organisations, aims to show solidarity with Palestinian families and children affected by the ongoing war, and alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable groups, especially the more than one million children who reside in the Gaza Strip.
The ERC renewed its call for citizens and residents in the country to participate widely in the community initiative, embodying the humanitarian values of the UAE society.
Participation in the campaign can be done in three ways. The first is through monetary donations via the official channels specified by the ERC. The second way is by volunteering to participate in packaging and preparing in-kind aid and parcels. The third way is by donating in-kind aid through the 26 centres specified by the ERC.
The in-kind materials received are divided into three baskets that will be sent through parcels. The food basket includes 14 items such as flour, oil, dates, beans, chickpeas, green peas, corn, tuna, canned meats, tea, salt, sugar, and biscuits. The women’s basket includes blankets, sanitisers, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, and personal items. The children’s basket includes powdered milk, Cerelac baby food, Aptamil infant formula milk, nutritional supplements, soap, diapers, biscuits, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, and body cream.
