Abu Dhabi: The ‘Yemen: We Care’ fund-raising campaign was pushed to more than Dh500 million after an eleventh-hour donation in a telethon broadcast live across the UAE on Friday.
Donations poured in over the course of the six-hour telethon with donations reaching 202,300,000 at 7:25 pm but five minutes later, an staggering donation of Dh300 million put the final tally at Dh502 million as the telethon closed at 8pm.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the (Emirates Red Crescent) ERC, donated Dh300 million
The funds represent the total monies raised since the campaign started late last month.
Donations will benefit victims of conflict-torn Yemen, according to its live telethon broadcast across UAE on Friday.
Donations continued to climb steadily throughout the day as organisations, companies and individuals each donated millions of dirhams to help potentially curb Yemenis’ enduring pains experienced as a Saudi-led military coalition attempts to restore the Yemen government and oust Houthis rebels.
Donors made selfless, sweeping gestures of financial kindness.
The National Bank of Abu Dhabi’s (NBAD), which contributed up to Dh5 million; Dubai Islamic Humanitarian Foundation gave Dh10 million; Emaar properties donated Dh5 million; Dar Al Ber Society donated Dh1 million; Etisalat provided Dh3 million and the Sultan Bin Khalifa Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation donated Dh500,000.
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank contributed donations worth Dh2 million; Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank put forth Dh2 million; Aldar properties donated Dh5 million; Al Mariah United Group chipped in Dh5 million and so did Al Ansari Exchange, which delivered Dh1 million.
In addition, Dh1.5 million worth of food was supplied by the UAE to feed victims in Yemen.
It was also reported that Yemen had suffered three months of complete darkness, which propelled the UAE to launch ultra-mega power projects with a capacity of 64 megawatt. The first phase, up to 27 megawatts, has successfully been launched and the second will follow by the end of this month.
Ahmed Al Yammahi, a Abu Dhabi TV correspondent, commented on the tragic wave of events that continues to delve across Yemen and said: “Yemenis all around are carrying UAE flags as a way to express their sincerest gratitude towards the country and for its non-ending efforts to support Yemen and its citizens.”
“The UAE continues to provide shelter and lend a hand to 10 million people who are currently experiencing emotions of grief and sorrow and is making it a mission to restore hope once again. We have even sacrificed our lives to reach this goal. Today, up to 22 UAE martyrs gave up their lives and while I can only offer their families my sincerest condolences, I also congratulate them for instilling a sense of braveness, faithfulness and loyalty in their children.”
As part of UAE’s efforts to shield their fellow Yemenis from political instability and insecurity, he added that there are currently eight ships that have sailed from the UAE to Yemen to export basic necessities such as food, clothes, vehicles, medicines and all that a person would require to make it through the harsh living conditions. The ninth is also on its way, he added.
Dr Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emirates Red Crescent, said in an interview on Abu Dhabi TV: “It certainly is a sad occasion for those who were martyred in Yemen striving to stand still and fight for the country; however, I do applaud them for being so courageous and giving their lives for building a safer tomorrow, a trait that the UAE’s leaderships continue to enforce and highlight.”
Mohammad Haji Al Khouri, director-general of the Khalifa Foundation, said: “UAE is known to have always supported those in need regardless of their race, nationality, or age, thanks to the assistance and directions of our great leadership.”
A call for philanthropists to partake in ‘Yemen: We Care’ fund-raising campaign and fight the menace that has undermined Yemen’s security will continue to resonate across the UAE until September 30.
Once this campaign comes to an end, the donations will be used to serve an array of sectors such as education, health, electricity, water, gardens and sewage systems.
‘Yemen: we Care’ came under the guidance of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice -President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and with the instructions of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and is being followed up by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the ERC.
There are 200 sites across the UAE to further promote the campaign, particularly at malls, banks, offices, cooperative societies, all of which have an increased footfall.
Apart from the financial aspect, other donations such as food, money, clothing or other necessary items are also welcomed.
The UAE is currently the world’s largest aid donor to Yemen in 2015 and has provided up to Dh744 million over the course of the last fourth months.
The humanitarian organisations engaged in providing assistance to the people of Yemen include the Emirates Red Crescent, Khalifa Bin Zayed Foundation, Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Foundation.
These are in addition to the UAE Water Aid (Suqia), Al Rahma Charitable Foundation and Sharjah Charity House.
(Maisoon Mubarak is a trainee at Gulf News.)
Major contributors
* Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the ERC, donated Dh300 million
* Dubai Islamic Humanitarian Foundation: Dh10 million
* Aldar properties: Dh5 million
* Al Mariah United Group: Dh5 million
* National Bank of Abu Dhabi’s (NBAD): Dh5 million
* Emaar properties: Dh 5 million
* Al Dahra Agriculture: Dh5 million
* Etisalat: Dh3 Million
* Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank: Dh2 million
* Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank: Dh2 million
* Sharjah Charity Association: Dh1.2 million
* Al Rostamani Group: Dh1 million
* Al Ansari Exchange: Dh1 Million
* Dar Al Ber Society: Dh1 Million
* Sultan Bin Khalifa Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation: Dh500,000
* Ajman Charity Authority: Dh500,000
Telethon donation benchmarks
1 Dh93,740,800 at 2:20pm,
2 Dh133,360,173 at 4:15pm
3 Dh141,195,674 at 5:15pm
4 Dh142,201,305 at 5:40pm
5 Dh154,310,979 at 6:18pm
6 Dh 160,664,050 at 6:43 pm
7 Dh 182,750,882 at 7:01 pm
8 Dh 196,294,512 at 7:18 pm
9 Dh 202,300,000 at 7:25 pm
10 Dh 502,305,512 at 7:30 pm - FINAL
