Sharjah: Sharjah’s global charity, The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), has stepped up its support for the residents of Gaza with recent escalation in violence leaving Gazans more vulnerable.
The foundation has answered the call for emergency aid and strengthened its operations and alliances with some of the world’s leading relief agencies to provide essential supplies and services in Gaza, offering $227,000 (Dh833,000) in support.
The escalating violence has disrupted the aid delivery and restricted movement, leaving the besieged community more vulnerable than ever.
With 72 per cent of residents in Gaza lacking reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food, the foundation has placed food security as one of the priority areas for its Palestinian Children Fund in collaboration with the World Food Programme.
The foundation has donated $100,000 (Dh367,000) to provide electronic food vouchers to 2,800 residents in 24 special caring institutions, mainly housing orphans and children with disabilities.
The foundation is also financing emergency medical staff for the next six months, working with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
According to UNRWA, increasing pressure on hospitals has led to many patients being discharged early to allow for the admission of new patients, particularly those with injuries caused by live ammunition to the lower limbs.
In response, the foundation has pledged $100,000 to supply 26 nurses and 10 medical officers to provide care to the released patients and prepare for the many amputees who will require long-term assistance as well as support with mental health and psychological care.
Working with the Welfare Association for the Humanitarian and Development Projects for Palestinians, TBHF also contributed more than $27,000 to the Kiswa for Eid initiative, which provided Eid clothes to 500 poor and orphaned children aged 2-14 years.
With more than 80 per cent of the Gaza population living below the poverty line and dependent on aid, new clothes can often be low on the list of the residents’ priorities.
Mariam Al Hammadi, director of TBHF, said: “The situation in Gaza is moving from crisis to critical and we must all play a part in helping to alleviate such bitter conditions in such desperate times. The Big Heart Foundation is dedicated to helping refugees and people in need worldwide and through these collaborations we can answer the calls for emergency aid in Gaza.”
The Big Heart Foundation was founded in May 2015, following a number of initiatives and campaigns launched by Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The foundation’s vision is to protect the poor, vulnerable and needy, and provide decent, dignified lives.
In order to achieve its goals, the foundation currently oversees five funds: Peace for Children, a campaign to support Palestinian children, The Refugee Fund, The Middle East and North Africa Fund.
