UAE intensifies relief efforts in Socotra

Red Crescent has so far sent three aid ships loaded with basic food items to Socotra

During Ramadan, the UAE is escalating its assistance to the people of Socotra island as an extension of its pioneering humanitarian role in Yemen in general, and in Socotra in particular.

UAE aid has begun to pour in by land, sea and air to the island since the beginning of the month carrying on board all kinds of essential food items and Eid clothing.

The Emirates Red Crescent, ERC, has sent three aid ships loaded with basic food items to Socotra, in implementation to the directives of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the ERC. Shaikh Hamdan has ordered the immediate provision of Ramadan requirements to people on the island.

Shaikh Hamdan has also instructed the implementation of other services through a number of Ramadan programmes which include iftar projects, the distribution of Ramadan rations and Eid supplies.

The first ship, carrying 538 tonnes of goods valued at Dh7 million, arrived at Socotra Port earlier this week.

In the coming two days, two more ships will leave for Socotra carrying Ramadan aid supplies which will reach a large number of beneficiaries.

The ERC has demonstrated its keenness to provide all Ramadan needs to the population in Socotra as quickly as possible and have assigned a specialised team to oversee the delivery of items drawn from its strategic stock of relief materials in warehouses at International Humanitarian City, Dubai.

The Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation also launched a Ramadan project that aims to provide 10,000 food parcels to the residents of Socotra through a maritime and aerial bridge, which will benefit over 50,000 people.

The food aid, which includes flour, sugar, rice, oil, tomato paste, olive oil, tea, lentils and powdered milk, will be distributed in all the island’s governorates.

Dh7m value of the 538 tonnes of food items sent to Socotra

10,000 food parcels Khalifa Foundation plans to send to Socotra