UAE allots Dh35M to help Filipinos who lost homes to super typhoon
abu dhabi — The UAE has allocated Dh35 million to provide urgent humanitarian aid to the people who bore the brunt of super typhoon Goni as it hit the Philippines.
The fund has been earmarked upon the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The humanitarian support will be monitored by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC).
An ERC delegation travelled to Manila to oversee the relief operations and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the most affected areas, in coordination with local authorities. For the first phase of the ERC’s support programme, the aid includes large volumes of materials for the shelter of typhoon victims.
Dr Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, secretary-general of the ERC, said Sheikh Hamdan has been following the humanitarian situation since the start of the typhoon.
Sheikh Hamdan also directed the ERC to always be ready to respond to such crises and disasters, he added.
A programme to send Emirati aid is being drafted according to field reports and local humanitarian calls. Comprising several phases, it will take into account the urgent needs of the Filipinos.
The succeeding phases of relief operations will focus on other essentials, like healthcare and food.The ERC is constantly monitoring the situation to provide much-needed services to those affected by the typhoon, Dr Al Falahi said. —