Emirates Red Crescent begins Ramadan campaign to support families in need

Organisation aims to provide assistance to 1.8 million people in the UAE and 44 countries around the world during the holy month

Emirates Red Crescent campaign will provide millions with Eid clothing, Ramadan food parcels and ifar meals. Victor Besa / The National

The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has launched a Dh37.6 million ($10.2 million) Ramadan campaign to support needy families in the UAE and around the world.

The Ramadan Continuous Giving Campaign, launched on Sunday, will provide millions of people with Eid clothing, Ramadan food parcels and iftar meals, Abu Dhabi Media Office said.

It aims to support 1.8 million people in the UAE and 44 countries across Asia, Europe and South America.

The first day of Ramadan is expected to fall on March 11 this year, after the UAE's International Astronomy Centre announced the sighting of the Sheban crescent moon on February 10.

This marked the countdown to the month-long fast.

The ERC will also launch women-only Ramadan and iftar tents for the first time. They will be located in various sites across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ajman.

Donation sites

There will be 321 donation collection sites in all emirates and located in malls, popular markets and densely populated areas.

Citizens and residents can still donate through the ERC's donation centres, website, apps, bank deposits, text messages, cash donation boxes and various in-person donation collection locations.

Rashid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the ERC, said the campaign aims to provide support and assistance to those within the UAE and around the world.

He said the campaign also aims to alleviate suffering, improve life and preserve human dignity, as well as combat poverty, hunger and diseases.

Mr Al Mansouri stressed that the ERC is keen to expand its Ramadan programmes in a number of countries who need urgent humanitarian assistance, such as the Gaza Strip.

He said the ERC has worked to strengthen its Ramadan programmes in Gaza to provide 10,000 Iftar meals to Palestinians during the holy month.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi has also completed its preparations to welcome thousands of worshippers and visitors during Ramadan.

It has provided more than 70 electric cars to transport worshippers from car parks to prayer halls, with priority going to the elderly and disabled, as well as about 50,000 breakfast meals for workers.

It has also provided more than 1,480 carpets for worshippers and cleaned and sterilised carpets in the mosque's halls and courtyard to ensure the safety of worshippers.

Ramadan is observed by more than 1.8 billion Muslims and is believed to be the month when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.

Fasting during the holy month is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all Muslims who are in good health.

Preparations around the world ahead of Ramadan – in pictures