Sharjah charity delivers 116,000 relief packages to Gaza in ongoing UAE aid efforts

116,000 Relief Packages Delivered: Sharjah Charity Brings Lifesaving Aid to Gaza

Sharjah Charity Scales Up Relief Efforts to Ease Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis

Sharjah: The people of Gaza have been living through a deep humanitarian tragedy for more than 600 days. The escalating conflict has left thousands displaced, homeless, and struggling to survive. Every part of daily life has been affected—food, shelter, and even hope. Children who were born into war know nothing but the sound of explosions and fear. Mothers hide their tears behind prayers for safety, while the most basic needs like clean water, electricity, schools, and functioning hospitals are painfully missing.

Amid this heartbreaking reality, humanitarian efforts continue to shine as a beacon of hope. At the forefront are ongoing initiatives from the United Arab Emirates, led by several charitable organizations, including the Sharjah Charity Association, which was among the first to respond to the cries for help. Through the “Compassion for Gaza” campaign and “Gallant Knight 3” operation, the UAE has once again proven its steadfast commitment to supporting people in need wherever they may be. These efforts come under the direct guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him.

Marking World Refugee Day on June 20, Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasim, Chairman of Sharjah Charity Association, emphasized that standing with the people of Gaza is both a humanitarian and religious duty. "We see ourselves as part of the larger support chain led by the UAE to relieve the suffering and help bring life in Gaza back to normal," he said.

Sheikh Saqr explained that the association has carried out a wide range of relief projects that directly impact daily life. So far, about 116,000 relief items have been delivered. From the earliest days of the crisis, the association distributed over 32,000 food packages to displaced families living in shelters and camps. Additionally, they provided 10,000 heavy blankets and warm clothing to help people survive the harsh winter, especially with heating systems out of service.

The support also extended to children. “We provided 1,728 packages of baby formula after this essential item completely disappeared from local markets. We also distributed 3,000 school bags fully stocked with supplies to support children determined to return to school despite the challenges they face,” he added.

Water scarcity has worsened the suffering in Gaza, and Sheikh Saqr highlighted that the association stepped in to supply drinking water using water tankers in several areas. They also repaired damaged wells and launched a donation drive to dig 12 new wells, which will eventually serve more than 312,000 people.

To fight hunger, the association set up 20 field kitchens that now provide daily meals to around 45,000 people. Additionally, 10 bakeries were reopen to produce bread every day for about 9,500 people, helping to ease the severe bread shortage in the region.

Sheikh Saqr stressed that these efforts align with the UAE’s broader mission of offering immediate relief and long-term support to disaster-stricken areas. He confirmed that the association continues to coordinate closely with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international partners to expand their operations and address more urgent needs in the coming period.

He called for ongoing support for initiatives aimed at helping the people of Gaza. "What we are offering is more than just material aid—it is a message of solidarity and hope from the people of the UAE to our brothers and sisters in Palestine. True humanity is not measured by words, but by the actions we take to ease the suffering of others. The 'Compassion for Gaza' campaign and the 'Gallant Knight 3' operation are powerful examples of this noble mission," he said.