Abu Dhabi: Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has honoured prominent philanthropists for their humanitarian contributions.

The honouring ceremony was held on Saturday at the Emirates Palace Hotel in the capital.

Top donors were honoured by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the ERC.

Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, President of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, was the first to be honoured in the ceremony for constant humanitarian efforts.

Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, were also honoured.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohammad Atiq Al Falahi, secretary-general of the ERC, said, “The UAE is always committed to humanitarian and ethical responsibilities and has a keen interest in saving lives and human dignity. This ceremony is held to celebrate the giving of the late founding father, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who established the foundation of charity and philanthropy in the UAE.”

“Honouring donors demonstrates the UAE’s appreciation and recognition of philanthropic and humanitarian contributions, which made the UAE number one in countering natural disasters and their consequences globally,” he added.

Two documentaries were screened at the ceremony. They show the ERC’s commitment to save lives, especially in India and Syria.

Karibeeran Paramesvaran, who lost his three children when the tsunami struck Nagapattinam, a coastal city on the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, narrates his story in a documentary titled A Tide of Grief.

Paramesvaran, who works as an oil engineer, was present at the event with his wife.

“After the killer wave, over 1,000 children lost their parents. We then realised that we should help those orphaned by the tsunami and our family grew to 40 members,” Paramesvaran, 49, told Gulf News.

He has set up a charity, Nambikkai — which in Tamil means ‘hands of hope’, where special education, nutrition, and several activities are provided.

“I am happy with the way the children are growing up in my home and I am looking forward to helping more children in a few years,” he added.