Rekindling compassion: UAE comes together again for Gaza

Dubai: The 'Tarahum for Gaza' campaign continues with strong momentum and participation of citizens and residents of the UAE. Substantial contributions from the community are continuing in parallel with official efforts, reflecting the UAE's deep-rooted values of human solidarity.

In its third week, the campaign witnessed the participation of 5,000 volunteers during activities organised at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with the Emirates Red Crescent, at the Festival Arena in Dubai, in cooperation with Dubai Cares, and at the Al Bayt Mitwahid Center in Sharjah, in cooperation with the Sharjah Charity International and the Big Heart Foundation.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Humanitarian Envoy of the Big Heart Foundation, participated on Sunday in the UAE campaign to relief those affected by the war in Gaza, “Tarahum for Gaza,” which was held in the Al Bayt Mitwahid Hall in Sharjah.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed was briefed on the efforts made by those in charge of the campaign and volunteers to contribute to providing urgent packages to the affected Palestinian children and families, which reflects the great solidarity with the brotherly Palestinian people.

The Deputy Ruler of Sharjah also acquainted with the procedures used in packing relief packages, which include a variety of food and health parcels and special parcels for women and children. He also learned about the methods of preserving, packaging and storing them to ensure these shipments reach the Palestinians in Gaza in the best conditions,

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed participated with the volunteers in the hall in packing the food basket and extended his sincere thanks to everyone who took part in this campaign.

This week, volunteers prepared 20,000 relief packages, and collected 450 tonnes of relief materials.

Supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Emirates Red Crescent Authority (ERC) and the World Food Programme (WFP), and in coordination with the Ministry of Community Development, the campaign includes the participation of 20 charitable and humanitarian institutions in addition to national volunteering platforms.

To date, the Tarahum for Gaza campaign has collected 1,250 tonnes of food, hygiene and medical relief materials and has prepared 58,000 relief packages for children and mothers, as well as food packages.

The campaign is an extension of the UAE's endeavours to support the Palestinian people and alleviate their suffering and the severity of the ongoing humanitarian crisis by providing essential supplies. The campaign focuses on the most vulnerable groups, especially children, who constitute approximately half of the population of the Gaza Strip.

Accredited charitable and humanitarian institutions in the UAE continue to receive in-kind and financial donations as part of the campaign. Those wishing to volunteer can register to participate through the UAE’s official volunteer platforms.

Dubai event

As part of the ongoing ‘Tarahum for Gaza’ campaign launched in the UAE to provide humanitarian support to those affected by the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, volunteers gathered at an event at the Festival Arena in Dubai Festival City today to pack more relief boxes.

The community event saw volunteers, of all ages and nationalities, pitch in their time and effort to prepare food and relief kits. Jointly organised by Dubai Cares, part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, Watani Al Emarat Foundation and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, the event was in line with the country’s values of humanitarian support and solidarity.

Dr Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, said that the ‘Tarahum for Gaza’ campaign is in alignment with the department’s strategy, embodying the vision of the UAE leadership, which prioritises humanitarian work as a fundamental national value. He highlighted the department’s commitment to delivering assistance to people in Gaza, mitigating the effects of the conflict, and ensuring all types of humanitarian requirements are met to overcome the challenges faced by children, women and the elderly.

Dr Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares, said that the campaign embodies the UAE’s enduring commitment to aiding those in need and those affected by conflicts. He also said that the UAE’s humanitarian efforts have deep roots, laid by its founding fathers and now embraced as a daily commitment by the leadership. He stressed that Dubai Cares is channelling its resources to ensure the success of this campaign in providing relief to the Palestinian people in Gaza, while upholding the values of humanitarian and volunteer work.

Dherar Belhoul Al Falasi, CEO of Watani Al Emarat Foundation, highlighted that the ‘Tarahum for Gaza’ campaign mirrors the foundation’s commitment to promoting humanitarian and volunteer values. He also said that the campaign aligns with the strategic objectives of the UAE, a global leader in humanitarian endeavours and projects that support people affected by conflicts. He commended the fruitful collaboration between the foundation, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department and Dubai Cares and their role in the campaign’s success.

The campaign seeks to mitigate the severity of the humanitarian conditions and alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable groups, especially children, women and elderly people. It is supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Emirates Red Crescent Authority and the World Food Programme, and in coordination with the Ministry of Community Development. The initiative is supported by 20 relief and humanitarian organisations.