Dubai workers help with Somalia relief efforts

DUBAI // Employees from a Dubai company have been collecting supplies that will be shipped to Somalia with the help of the Red Crescent.
More than 50 workers from Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (Dubal) helped collect and pack food donated by colleagues and the community in a 10-day effort.
"I took part in the Somalia donation drive because it was the right thing to do," said Salem Al Nahdi, 24, an Emirati financial analyst. "We take for granted all the essentials that we have packed and are about to ship. Inshallah, they will go to people that need it the most. I hope what little we did can go a long way for them."

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The volunteers collected dried beans, rice, sugar, flour and milk powder from 26 donation points and packed the produce over two days.

Some of the employees are also part of the ThinkUpGCC initiative, a platform for Gulf talents and philanthropic initiatives.

"I am proud that a few members got to do good and help out those in need," said Saleh Al Braik, 23, the founder of ThinkUpGCC and a financial analyst. "It takes an event like this to really get the community together and connect with one and other."

The ThinkUpGCC volunteers raised awareness about the fundraising drive on social networks such as Twitter.

The company has initiated a second campaign to raise money, which will be given to the RCA.

A number of UAE humanitarian organisations are helping those affected by the drought. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment has established food centres to provide meals to displaced families arriving at its newly built camp in the Dulu province on the Somalia border.

The agency has provided shelter to more than 10,000 children in its food centres. Officials also said a number of children required eye surgeries to prevent blindness, caused by exhaustion and long journeys on foot.