Today's Edition
HALA AL KHAYYAT (ABU DHABI) - Since its launch on October 15, the “Tarahum - for Gaza” campaign, launched by the UAE as part of its humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people affected by the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, has prepared 71,000 relief aid parcels, with the participation of 24,000 male and female volunteers across the country, and has collected 1,500 tonnes of supplies.
On Sunday, the humanitarian campaign’s activities at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, part of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, witnessed extensive participation from 2,500 volunteers, including children, the elderly, citizens, residents, and people of determination.
They joined hands to prepare over 10,000 parcels containing food, health essentials, and general hygiene items, before dispatching them to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah Crossing, enhancing international efforts to provide humanitarian and relief support to the Palestinian people.
In remarks to the press on the sidelines of the ninth community event of the campaign, Rashid Mubarak Al Mansouri, Acting Secretary-General of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), said that the “Tarahum - for Gaza” campaign will continue its efforts, calling on philanthropists in the country to make financial donations, contributing to the purchase of essential needs for the people of the Gaza Strip, especially medical supplies and medicines.
He noted that the campaign, through nine events since mid-October, has managed to prepare 71,000 relief parcels with the participation of more than 24,000 volunteers. Al Mansouri said that the campaign has so far brought in about 168 tonnes of various parcels and medical supplies into Gaza, in coordination with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) through the Rafah Crossing.
He emphasised the cooperation of all humanitarian and charitable institutions in the UAE, as well as the donors’ support for this campaign, in line with the leadership of the UAE, headed by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Al Mansouri added that the campaign witnessed wide societal participation, where people came with their families and children to volunteer, demonstrating the inherent UAE values of giving and charity, instilled by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Regarding winter supplies, Al Mansouri pointed out that the authority has a three-member team in Cairo, who are responsible for purchasing winter supplies such as clothing and blankets, especially as the winter season approaches. He added that there is also a team in Al-Arish to coordinate with international organisations to determine the essential needs.
The “Tarahum - for Gaza” campaign is overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Ministry of Community Development, and in cooperation with the ERC and the WFP, along with the participation of 20 charitable and humanitarian institutions. The campaign accepts in-kind and monetary donations through the official channels of the ERC.
