UAE sends aid to refugee camp

Beirut: The UAE has sent a convoy of eight trucks carrying emergency materials and relief supplies to the Palestinian refugee camp of Badawi in the north of Lebanon yesterday.

The move is in line with the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The emergency aid was extended by the UAE Project for Supporting and Reconstruction of Lebanon to the thousands of Palestinian refugees who fled their homes in the Nahr Al Bared camp after fighting broke out between the Fatah Al Islam militants and the Lebanese Army and security forces.

The eight-truck convoy carrying emergency relief materials, including blankets, mattresses, foodstuff, milk, medicines and medical supplies, was handed over to the Palestinian Red Crescent's hospital in the camp.

Health situation

Accompanying the convoy was Abdullah Al Gafli, Director of the project, who toured the camp.

While touring the camp, Al Gafli spoke with Palestinian officials and civilians who briefed him on the health situation and difficulties facing them.

He reaffirmed the UAE's support for the Palestinian refugees.

Al Gafli said the UAE project is coordinating with Lebanon's Higher Relief Agency, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and Tripoli Municipality, to assess the basic requirements of medical supplies and food.

The Palestinian refugees expressed their gratitude to the UAE leadership and people for their rapid response and humanitarian stances, to help alleviate their suffering, especially as they pass through catastrophic circumstances.

An estimated 10,000 civilians remain in the embattled camp with only sporadic humanitarian support during very brief ceasefire periods.