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ABU DHABI / WAM
The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) launched a donation campaign in the UAE under the slogan “For you Somalia” to help the victims of famine in the country.
This campaign follows the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and President of the Red Crescent Authority will follow the campaign’s progress.
Dr Mohammed Ateeq Al-Falahi, Secretary-General of the ERC, said the authority had allocated AED100 million in principle to strengthen its relief operations and development projects in Somalia. The ERC has also prepared for the implementation of emergency relief programmes, and made an immediate provision for 50,000 food parcels, along with clothing, medicine, medical supplies and vaccines for the prevention of epidemics, as well as development projects in the areas of health, education, housing and water resources.
Al Falahi also announced that an ERC delegation would travel to Somalia during the next two days to lead the on the field relief operations and to supervise the delivery of aid to those affected by famine.
The delegation will also set to identify the on the ground situation, gain insight on the humanitarian needs of the Somali people and study the proposed development projects for them, as well as ensuring coordination with the relevant Somali authorities to start the implementation of its programmes.
During the press conference held today at the ERC headquarters to announce the campaign, he noted that the crisis and famine in Somalia have triggered a humanitarian situation and exacerbated the suffering of the Somali people that has manifested through disease and malnutrition due to food shortage and lack of daily necessities.
The Secretary-General expressed the ERC’s gratitude to its campaign partners, namely the National Media Council and other media institutions, Etisalat and du companies, and various UAE-based charity and humanitarian organisations. He also thanked individuals for their contributions and donations in response to the ERC call.