General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, has donated $2 million for Afghan refugees as part of his aid campaign.

Ibrahim Mohammed Bu Melha, Deputy-Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation's Administrative Board, yesterday said aid will be given to refugees who have been forced to flee their homes because of the current crisis.

Sheikh Mohammed has donated the money to build camps for Afghan refugees. The camps could either be built by the organisation or in cooperation with other Arab societies.

Bu Melha said in the first phase, 100 camps will be built to shelter a million refugees. Each camp will consist of 1,500 tents, a clinic, 50 wells and 100 toilets.

Donation drive planned

Meanwhile, The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation has called on charities and people to help the refugees and said it will launch a donation campaign.

Ibrahim Mohammed Bu Melha, Deputy-Chairman of the Foundation's Administrative Board, yesterday said: "Any amount will be welcome, we will fix no sum. We call on all to help reduce the sufferings of our brothers, especially civilians who are not involved in politics. They are the ones who will be affected."

He praised General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, for his humanitarian efforts.

Donations can be sent either directly to the Foundation's office in Green Tower Building on Bani Yas Road or deposited at a bank account to be opened soon.

Bu Melha said Sheikh Mohammed has ordered that a team survey the needs of the refugees and what kind of aid should be provided. He said with winter round the corner, their troubles will increase.

Bu Melha said the UNHCR will let them know when the team should visit the area. The UNHCR will also guide the delegation on how aid should be given. The delegation will be headed by Abdul Rahman bin Sobieh, member of the of Foundation's Administrative Board.

The delegation will leave for Islamabad today and then travel to Peshawar to get a first hand impression of situation. The team will also set up an operation room to coordinate relief work.

Abdul Rahman bin Sobieh and Khalid bin Zayed, Members of the Administrative Board, were also present at the press conference.