Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (WAM)
The total value of humanitarian programmes, relief operations, development projects, reconstruction programmes, and orphan sponsorships carried out by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) both within the UAE and internationally during the first half of this year reached Dh424,036,432.
These efforts benefited approximately 15,613,059 people in the UAE and dozens of countries globally.
During the first half of the year, the ERC's field activities on the local arena were highly active, with the value of programmes, activities, and local projects in various vital areas amounting to Dh87,909,894. Internationally, the value reached Dh336,126,538.
This information was revealed in a report issued by the ERC in conjunction with the celebration of World Humanitarian Day, which is observed on August 19 each year.
The report highlighted that during this period, the ERC's programmes expanded both vertically and horizontally, moving into advanced stages of social empowerment and comprehensive development work. The ERC has become more efficient and dynamic in its humanitarian environment, with a broader reach and quicker presence in areas affected by crises and disasters.
Several factors have contributed to making the ERC a key player in the humanitarian field and a strong supporter of efforts to alleviate the impact of crises and disasters.
Among the most important of these factors is the support of the UAE's wise leadership, which has enabled the ERC to launch initiatives that make a meaningful difference in improving lives, reducing suffering, and spreading happiness and positivity among the most vulnerable and underserved populations by implementing vital and ambitious development programmes and projects.
The ERC report pointed out that the programmes and initiatives implemented within the UAE during this period included humanitarian aid valued at Dh5,407,718, benefiting 3,734 people.
Medical assistance amounted to Dh8,834,208, benefiting 1,957 individuals. In addition, educational assistance valued at Dh3,943,041 benefited 4,073 students across various educational levels.
Assistance to prisoners and their families reached Dh2,677,262, benefiting 822 people, while support for 909 people of determination was provided at a cost of Dh3,182,407.
Under the category of institutional support, two institutions benefited from the ERC's assistance, valued at Dh65,600. The ERC also implemented seasonal projects, including Ramadan and Eid al-Adha programmes, benefiting approximately 1,273,760 people at a cost of Dh27,046,934.
Additionally, the value of humanitarian cases supported through the ERC's social media platforms reached Dh16,887,472, benefiting 485 cases.
Furthermore, Dh19,865,252 was allocated as aid provided through donations from major philanthropists associated with the ERC, benefiting 9,098 people.
Internationally, the ERC's semi-annual report focused on relief operations, emphasising that urgent and emergency relief programmes are among the ERC's top priorities in addressing the impacts of disasters and crises and mitigating their severity on affected individuals and victims.
The report noted that the value of relief operations conducted during the first half of the year stood at Dh221,818,985, benefiting 11,952,414 people in 25 countries around the world.
The ERC places significant emphasis on construction and development projects, as well as reconstruction and infrastructure rehabilitation in disaster-affected countries, to remove the traces of destruction caused by these disasters and mitigate the damage suffered by those who rely on these vital projects, particularly in the areas of health, education, housing, and public facilities directly related to large segments of the population.
The ERC typically begins implementing its development projects in affected countries following urgent and emergency relief operations for victims and affected populations.
These projects serve as a subsequent step to humanitarian relief programmes, contributing to the restoration of normalcy in affected regions and providing favourable conditions for the stability of those affected and displaced by these crises and disasters. This category also includes empowerment and capacity-building projects, which are small-scale projects managed by the ERC for impoverished and underprivileged families, providing them with a stable income to manage their lives independently rather than relying on temporary and direct aid that ends with its provision.
The value of these programmes amounted to Dh85,325,546, benefiting 2,217,564 people in 49 countries.
The report confirmed that the ERC's programmes in the field of orphan care and sponsorship are witnessing continuous expansion thanks to the significant attention given by the ERC to this important segment of society, as well as the strong support from sponsors, benefactors, and philanthropists for the ERC's efforts in this vital area.
The cost of orphan sponsorship programmes during the first six months of the year reached Dh28,982,000, benefiting 148,241 orphans in more than 20 countries.
