Emirates Red Crescent launches $3.4m winter aid campaign to help 300,000 people

The Emirates Red Crescent has initiated a Dh12.5 million winter aid campaign to assist over 300,000 vulnerable individuals spread across 17 countries. This initiative, led by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), aims to provide relief to refugees, displaced persons, and communities impacted by humanitarian crises and harsh weather.

The campaign's launch was celebrated with a volunteer event at the ERC's Abu Dhabi headquarters, where board members, staff, and volunteers from Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, ADNOC, and other organizations collaborated to assemble winter aid packages.

ERC Secretary-General Ahmed Al Mazrouei emphasized that the campaign exemplifies the UAE's humanitarian values under President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and the ERC's dedication to aiding those affected by crises, especially during the winter when hardships become more pronounced. He highlighted that the campaign will be executed in phases throughout the winter, in partnership with relevant authorities and humanitarian organizations in the UAE and internationally.

The initiative prioritizes children, the elderly, women, and displaced and refugee families to ensure that aid is delivered efficiently and in a timely manner.

Mr. Al Mazrouei noted that the high volunteer participation demonstrated the spirit of solidarity within UAE society, underscoring the crucial role of charitable efforts in supporting humanitarian causes. The ERC pledges to continue delivering relief and humanitarian programs and to forge new partnerships as directed by Sheikh Hamdan, thereby reinforcing the UAE's significant role in regional and global humanitarian endeavors.

In recent developments, the ERC recently delivered Dh50 million worth of winter and medical aid to Palestinians in Gaza, where temperatures have plummeted across the Middle East. The relief effort encompassed essential supplies such as clothes, blankets, food, tents, and medicine. This humanitarian effort aligns with the UAE's extensive support for Gaza, with Operation Gallant Knight 3 serving as the primary coordination framework for relief operations.

The UAE has contributed over $4 billion in aid to Gaza, representing 46% of the global support provided to the enclave since 2023. This assistance has included 130,708 tonnes of relief, medical and food supplies, transported by 796 aircraft, 25 ships, and 14,483 lorries.