Abu Dhabi: The unified media campaign broadcast “For You Somalia” was launched on Friday by Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah TVs, as well as local radio stations to mobilise support for the campaign launched under the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to curb the famine in Somalia.
The campaign also has the support of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC).
The UAE is racing to save Somalia and alleviate the suffering of the Somali people, as drought threatens the lives of thousands of people. It plays a leading role in the relentless efforts to deliver emergency aid to the affected areas.
The Dubai Media Office on Friday tweeted about the campaign that aims to raise badly needed humanitarian aid for the eastern African country.
According to the United Nations, it would require $24.6 million (Dh90.3 million) in funding from international donors to meet the emergency needs of more than a million Somalis affected by drought.
The current situation is increasingly mirroring the famine that struck the country six years ago that claimed the lives of a quarter of a million people.
In the UAE, the ERC has teamed up with telecom companies du and etisalat to enable private individuals to donate money ranging from Dh10 to Dh200. It also organised a live telethon on Friday to raise funds for Somalia before Ramadan.
Meanwhile, on the ERC’s website, individuals and corporations have more options to donate in different projects in Somalia. For example, buying 10 food parcels costs Dh2,000, Dh5,000 for buying medicines, Dh5,490 for donating five goats, while a water transport car would cost Dh2,115.
Donations can also be made through Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank’s account AE97050000000020000307, Dubai Islamic Bank AE650240003520467890701, Sharjah Islamic Bank AE130410000011445518014, and Al Hilal Bank AE720530000026419000166.
A fund-raising campaign is also taking place at shopping malls across the UAE.
Donors may also choose to help projects like intensive care units in hospitals for Dh250,000 or ambulance projects for Dh130,000, or general surgery room projects for Dh300,000, among others.
The UAE last week pledged to give at least Dh500 million in aid to famine-hit Somalia in the coming weeks.
On Wednesday, the ERC’s humanitarian convoy was bombed near the Somalian capital Mogadishu, but UAE said the terror attack would not deter its humanitarian efforts in Somalia.
How to donate:
For du users:
Dh10, SMS to 7110
Dh50, SMS to 7150; Dh100, SMS to 7100; Dh200, SMS to 7200
For Etisalat users:
Dh10, SMS to 4010; Dh50, SMS to 7050; Dh100, SMS to 7100; AED200, SMS to 7200
