UAE | General
Volunteers assist in sorting Gaza aid
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has united ordinary individuals from various backgrounds in Dubai to offer their help and support.
- By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:38 January 8, 2009
- Image Credit: Siham Al Najami/Gulf News
- Volunteers working at the Aramex GCC sort aid materials that they received from the public for forwarding to Palestinians.
Dubai: The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has united ordinary individuals from various backgrounds in Dubai to offer their help and support.
People from various walks of life have condemned the humanitarian crisis arising from the ongoing Israeli invasion that has killed over 700 and injured thousands among the 1.5 million people in the Gaza Strip, and called for international action to stop the killing of innocent civilians.
A campaign, "Deliver hope to the people of Gaza", in the UAE and Jordan has received extensive donations from individuals and companies, aiming a collecting 500 tonnes of aid materials by the end of January 11, which is open to additional days if required, said Hussain Hachem, CEO of Aramex GCC.
Piles of medium and large boxes and bags were scattered in the Aramex warehouse with over 25 volunteers and the firm's employees working hand-in-hand to sort and package the medical items, canned food, and clothes and blankets.
Every morning, Ahmad Al Sabir, Cargo Projects Coordinator at Aramex, meets volunteers and explains to different shifts the entire process of sorting and arranging items. The Palestinian-Jordanian dedicates more than his usual working hours to help support the Palestinian cause.
Palestinian national Rola Saif is tired of watching the news every day and the feeling of uselessness pushed her for the first time to volunteer to help the children of Gaza.
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Egyptian national Abeer Nada said: "Offering help to the innocent lives in Gaza eases my pain as watching the news has overwhelmed me especially the shameful silence of the Arab leaders. I am very ashamed of the Egyptian government response to the entire situation.
"I would love to see more involvement from the public such as organising campaigns in schools. Our children should be well aware of what's going on and they should be participating in doing something. The best place is in schools," said the mother of two children while sorting items.
Passing items to each other, Indian national Shamema Parveen and British national Sarah Kay were involved in the humanitarian issue believing it was their responsibility as members of society to offer support. Parveen, who has been living in the UAE for over 20 years, said: "I keep seeing the same thing over and over. Nothing ever changes."
She was also motivated to volunteer by her children's efforts in various campaigns in the country saying youth should always be engaged in humanitarian efforts. Parveen's mother Malika Shams Al Deen from India said, "I am here because I am in pain to see Muslims being killed. Regardless of being an Indian, these are our suffering brothers and sisters. They are from our blood," said Al Deen.
Aramex has linked up with the Hashemite Relief Commission in Jordan to deliver medical supplies, dry fruits and blankets and is partnering Majid Al Futtaim Group in the campaign by providing collection points at major shopping malls in the UAE including the Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, Ajman City Centre and Sharjah City Centre.
Crying need
From medicines to food
- Donations will be accepted until Sunday for the 'Deliver Hope to People in Gaza' aid campaign launched by Aramex and the Majid Al Futtaim Group.
- Materials needed: First-aid kits, medical emergency supplies, medicines for chronic illnesses, personal hygiene products, non-perishable foods, new clothes, tents, and blankets.
- Locations where donations will be accepted: Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, Sharjah City Centre and Ajman City Centre.
- Aramex is also in need of more volunteers to help them with sorting and packaging from 9am to midnight. Anyone wanting to volunteer can contact 050-8390571.
- The UAE Red Crescent Society Gaza campaign is soliciting donations at the Mall of the Emirates, Wafi City and at Union Co-operative Society outlets in Safa, Al Aweer, Al Twar and Al Hamriya besides at UAE Red Crescent Society offices in Al Twar, Dubai.
- Materials needed: Food that can be preserved for long periods like rice and milk powder and new clothes.
- Call Red Crescent at 800733 for collection of items. Companies can also contact the UAE Red Crescent Society to set up collection stalls at their own premises. Donations can be made to Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Account number 20000417 and Dubai Islamic Bank account number 03520534675401.
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