Campaigns in UAE make it easy to donate funds and help the people of Gaza
The population of Gaza is facing starvation as the humanitarian crisis caused by the war with Israel worsens, a situation that has prompted Ramadan fund-raising campaigns in the UAE to offer assistance.
In response to the conflict, recently described as a “war on children” by the head of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, the UAE is to intensify its humanitarian efforts to help Gazans during the holy month.
There are fund-raising campaigns running across the seven emirates, with a focus on emergency relief operations.
A Dubai Cares campaign will run until the end of the holy month, where UAE residents are urged to contribute directly by SMS and online channels or by making financial donations through their bank.
The Gaza In Our Hearts campaign will arrange the delivery of hot meals and food baskets, as well as waterproof and fire-resistant tents to the many who have been forced from their homes by Israeli bombing and military ground operations.
Dubai Cares, in collaboration with American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), will work with UN, diplomatic and non-governmental organisation partners to open aid corridors that will enable the delivery of life-saving supplies.
“The UAE’s response to the war in Gaza was immediate, with the entire country, including the UAE government, charitable and philanthropic organisations, businesses, and the wider community, joining efforts to provide life-saving aid,” said Tariq Al Gurg, chief executive and vice chairman of Dubai Cares.
People can also donate to Gaza through the Emirates Red Crescent, whose Ramadan Continuous Giving Campaign was launched on Sunday.
The Dh37.6 million ($10.2 million) venture is intended
to support needy families in the UAE and around the world, although there will be focus on the survivors of Israel’s war in Gaza.
Ramadan Continuous Giving includes a plan to provide 10,000 iftar meals to Palestinians
during the holy month. Last month, Rashid Al Mansouri, the ERC’s deputy secretary general for local affairs, saw a cargo ship carrying thousands of tonnes of aid for Gaza leave Fujairah and he said: “We will send more for Ramadan.”
There are more than 300 ERC donation collection sites across the country.
They can be found at several sites, including shopping malls and markets.
Citizens and residents are encouraged to donate through the ERC’s website and mobile phone apps.
Giving for Gaza can be done by bank deposit, text messaging and placing cash donation in boxes.
The government is supporting the displaced in Gaza with a series of Ramadan campaigns to “enhance the spirit of human solidarity and meet the necessary needs of the residents”.
On Monday, the first day of Ramadan, about 42 tonnes of food and medical aid were dropped into the northern Gaza Strip as part of a joint operation with Egypt.
Later that day, the UAE announced that it was sending a ship with 4,500 tonnes of aid to the needy of Palestine.