Donors step in to help Yemenis

ABU DHABI // In three days, the country’s philanthropists have donated Dh40.8 million for the devastated families of Yemen.

On Sunday the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) launched its Yemen: We Care, or Relief for Yemen, fund-raising appeal to help millions of Yemenis suffering in the conflict.

The campaign is a part of the UAE’s pledge to help nearly 10 million people affected by the crisis in Yemen.

“This is a very small amount of money we have collected so far, but we hope to receive more,” said Emirati Salem Al Qubaisi, a businessman in Abu Dhabi who donated to the fund-raising drive.

“The nature of the UAE is to give and reach out to all people across the world. It’s not only the Yemenis, we give help to all communities of people in the world.

“The UAE never looks for caste, colour or creed of the person, but if it finds them in distress, it helps them.”

Helping those in need was part of the basic teachings of Islam, he said.

“Our culture and religion teach us that if you do good to others from your right hand so do in a way that your left hand shouldn’t sense about it,” Mr Al Qubaisi said.

Another Emirati businessman who donated, Hazim Abdullah, said: “Yemenis are our brothers and we love to help them as much as we can.”

This is a small effort from the community, whereas the UAE government has been helping them generously, said Mr Abdullah, who is also based in Abu Dhabi. “I donated for this campaign and urge people to take part in this noble effort,” Mr Abdullah said.

Donations can be made at 200 sites, including malls, banks and offices, or via SMS at Etisalat 4010 for Dh10, 7050 for Dh50, 7100 for Dh100 and 7200 for Dh200. Du users can donate via 7110 for Dh10, 7150 for Dh50, 7100 for Dh100 and 7200 for Dh200.

The campaign was launched under the directives of President Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

UAE aid to Yemen reached Dh744 million, the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development announced last month in a report on the country’s humanitarian response to the crisis in Yemen.