ABU DHABI // The Emirates Red Crescent Society has raised Dh52.3 million to help those suffering in Yemen because of the ongoing conflict.
According to Fahad bin Sultan, deputy secretary general of the ERC, in the five days since the ERC launched its Yemen: We Care, or Relief for Yemen, members of the public have been sending in donations through many channels.
Aside from several big donations, he said, people were also contributing what they could and that everything made a difference. According to Mr bin Sultan, a good portion of the donations had been financial but that goods such as food, clothes, and with the beginning of the school year, school stationery, were welcome.
“The turnout has been really great and we appreciate all that is done. We are working to allocate the resources as best as possible,” he said.
He said that priority had been given to funding the reconstruction of infrastructure by keeping schools and hospitals open.
Donations can be made at hundreds of locations in the UAE, including malls, banks and offices as listed on the ERC's website.
On the websites, those who would like to donate to a specific project within the Yemen: We Care campaign can do so by selecting the amount they want donated towards building houses, digging wells, constructing schools and hospitals, or general donation.
Those wanting to give can also donate through SMS via Etisalat by texting 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 had 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.
Abu Dhabi Media, which publishes The National, will have unified TV coverage of the Yemen: We Care campaign tomorrow from 2pm to 8pm to mobilise support. This is in line with the UAE's humanitarian role and the company's strategy to "reflect the genuine Emirati culture of philanthropy", said HE Mohamed Ebraheem Al Mahmood, Chairman and Managing Director of the company.
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