Hundreds join donation drive for Lebanon in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - People wishing to volunteer or contribute can show up at the Jiu Jitsu Arena in the Capital and drop their donations at the car park.

Hundreds of volunteers and contributors joined a donation drive for Lebanon under the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The Lebanese community members were joined by UAE nationals and residents of other nationalities to pick up donations, sort them out and pack them in boxes before they could be flown to Lebanon.

The drive is being organised by UAE Volunteers and the Lebanese community in cooperation with the ERC.

The donations contain essentials like baby formula (for newborns and infants up to three years old), food supplies, new clothes and other necessary items and target the families that were affected by the explosions that rocked the Beirut port area on August 4.

People wishing to volunteer or contribute can show up at the Jiu Jitsu Arena in the Capital and drop their donations at the car park.

Volunteering is simply not just a good deed for Bilal Assaf, a Lebanese expat.  

"It is our duty to support in every possible way the people back home. Since we can't go to Lebanon and be by the needy families' side, it is our obligation to join in the humanitarian efforts here. It is the only way to help since we can't be on the ground there. We are very thankful for the UAE authorities for granting us this opportunity," said Bilal, who works for a financial consultancy and accountancy firm.

He said any in-kind donation matters. "It can be cereals, food cans, baby formula and other baby food, sanitary napkins or anything. All these items are received, sterilised, sorted out and packed in boxes," Bilal pointed out.  

"It is amazing to see how people are stepping in to volunteer. On Tuesday, there were about 100 volunteers. Big quantities of aid are coming in."   

On another note, Bilal expressed gratitude as the entities responsible for the distribution of donations in Lebanon are ensuring the relief aid really goes to the affected and needy families.  

Mohamed Al Kaaki, another Lebanese, praised the huge turnout to volunteering by different nationalities.   

"There are many volunteers here, Lebanese and Emiratis. There are also expats of various countries." Al Kaaki thanked the UAE authorities and the ERC for approving the campaign. People can also donate in cash through the ERC app; or through https://ae.myfatoorah.com/pe/0403146426836.  

Donations can be delivered at the arena from 4pm to 8pm till Thursday. The drive that kicked off on Tuesday may be extended.  

mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi
• MENA