Red Crescent hopes telethon will double donations

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA), which collected about Dh320 million as of on Sunday for Gazans via a telethon, is expecting the amount to be doubled soon.

The RCA is continuing its support campaign for Palestinians living in the Strip until the end of this month, said an official.

The authority started a donation campaign three weeks ago, when the Israeli attacks started, to provide the victims with medical aid, food, blankets and clothes.

Last Friday, the RCA collected about Dh315 million during an open day for collecting donations in collaboration with national television and radio stations.

"The telethon will continue hoping to raise as much cash as possible to help our people in Gaza," Ahmad Abdullah Ali, in charge of the call centre at the RCA, told Gulf News.

"People are donating rapidly by telephone and RCA branches all over the UAE," he said. About 120 volunteers are receiving donations on the toll free number 800733 daily from 8am to 10pm. Donation stands in malls, shopping centres and cooperative societies all over the country are receiving cash, food, clothes and blankets until the end of the month.

Ahmad Yousuf Gaith Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the RCA, told Gulf News: "The RCA sent Dh8 million to the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) Unicef and the International Red Crescent and Red Cross to help our people in Gaza. Blankets, medical aid and food worth Dh2 million were sent to the UAE embassy in Egypt to hand to the United Nations agency there."

Key numbers: How to help

Toll free 800733

Account numbers in which donations can be made:
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank: 20000417
Dubai Islamic Bank: 003520534675401
Sharjah Islamic Bank: 0060445518007
Emirates Islamic Bank: 0071679679007
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank: 0155189038
Account number outside the country
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank: ABDIAEAB20000417