Dubai: UAE residents have come together in large numbers to send relief items for thoseimpacted by the deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
The Turkish Consulate in Dubai along with the Turkish Business Council and Turkish Airlines started a collection drive on Tuesday to send supplies.
When Gulf News visited a warehouse in Al Quoz, where the collection drive was being organised, several residents were dropping off items and packing them for transport to Turkey. There were many young children who were taking part in the effort.
Fatma Emrem, President of the Turkish Business Council, said the first collection drivebegan on Tuesday morning and will run till 8pm on Wednesday.
“UAE residents were given an opportunity to provide in-kind assistance to those in need. The response has been overwhelming as scores of Turkish expats and members of other communities have come together to provide relief,” added Emrem.
Those behind the warehouse where the campaign was conducted were keen to help too. Rosh Manoli, Vice President, Freight Forwarding, Consolidated Shipping Group (CSS), said, “As part of the larger CSR mission initiated by our Chairman - T.S. Kaladharan, CSS has always been at the forefront of providing support at times of natural calamities in and around the region. Keeping the same humanitarian spirit intact, CSS has extended their aid to the Turkish Consulate and Turkish Business Council by providing our warehouse and staff in Al Quoz as part of the disaster relief programme. Supplies will be collected and we welcome the contribution of the larger community during these difficult times for the people of Turkey.”
“The material to be donated must have never been used before and must be suitable for winter conditions,” a campaign message to residents had earlier read.
The initiative listed the type of winter clothing required for adults and children. They included coats, raincoats, boots, jumpers, trousers, gloves, scarves, berets, socks and Underwear.
As for food, only durable canned food and children’s food is being collected.
The Consulate has also asked for baby diapers, hygiene and cleaning materials and sanitary napkins.
Also needed are tents, bedding, mattresses, blankets, sleeping bags, tube stoves, heaters (excluding tube), thermos, flashlights (excluding battery) and generators.
Exchange house donates $1 million
On Wednesday, Al Ansari Exchange announced a donation of $1 million to aid relief and humanitarian initiatives for Syrian people affected by the devastating earthquake in the region.
The aid aims to provide support, including food, medical equipment, shelters and other essentials, to the areas and communities most affected by the earthquake in Syria. The aid is being channelled through official humanitarian organisations designated to support the relief efforts.
Mohamed Ali Al Ansari, Chairman of Al Ansari Exchange, said: “On behalf of Al Ansari Exchange, we would like to offer our sincere condolences to the Syrian and Turkish people during these difficult times. We are deeply saddened by the news of the recent catastrophic events and the impact they had on your communities. This aid comes as part of our philanthropic commitment to help provide essential assistance to reduce the humanitarian repercussions of natural disasters on the lives of victims and affected people.”
Emirates Red Crescent drive
On Tuesday, WAM reported that Emirates Red Crescent and a number of ministries called for public participation in the “Bridges of Good” campaign to assist in gathering and assembling relief supplies for quake-ravaged Turkey and Syria.
The call, made by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) Authority in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) and the Ministry of Community Development, is part of the UAE’s efforts to stand by people plagued by the recent massive quake in the two countries by providing immediate humanitarian supplies.
The campaign will begin with the packaging of the initial aid on February 11 from 9am to 2pm at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre, at Expo City Dubai.
Starting February 12, ERC and partnering UAE humanitarian and charitable organisations will directly collect donations in cash and in kind over the course of two weeks.
The campaign, organised by the ERC in collaboration with charitable and humanitarian organisations in the UAE, calls on all segments of society to support this voluntary effort.
Those interested in contributing to the campaign can register on volunteers.ae.
