Abu Dhabi: The three-day nation-wide media telethon for raising funds to assist famine and drought victims in the Horn of Africa stands testimony to the deep sense of humanity President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan feels towards human suffering around the world irrespective of race or character, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Public Works and Chairman of the National Media Council (NMC), said.
In a statement to the Abu Dhabi TV and Radio on the launch on Wednesday of the humanitarian campaign under the theme Suqyahum (Arabic for quenching their thirst), Shaikh Hamdan said the media fund-raiser underscores, at the same time, the deep-rooted UAE approach in extending its helping hand to countries in distress to alleviate negative impact of disasters and calamities their people are facing.
"The three-day aid telethon crowned UAE's relentless relief efforts in Somalia, which has taken added momentum by the launch of 'Help them', another fund-raising telethon by Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) under instructions from His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to provide emergency humanitarian aid for famine-struck populations in Somalia and other drought-hit Horn of Africa countries.
"Sharjah came forward in support of the humanitarian campaign, launching 'Save Them' fundraising telethon in response to instructions by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah," Shaikh Hamdan said.
He said the UAE collective philanthropic effort gives boost to international relief operations towards mitigating impact of the famine and places the UAE in the forefront of countries which are taking humanitarian and charitable missions towards the disaster-struck population.
The Suqyahum campaign on its second day received more than Dh33 million.
