ERC launches Eid aid drive for Yemenis

Dubai - The Emirates Red Crescent will distribute items to the Yemeni families beginning on August 20 until the third day of Eid Al Adha

The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) on Wednesday launched 'Zayed's Legacy to Support Yemeni People' campaign to mark the upcoming Eid Al Adha.
The ERC said the campaign is intended to support the families of the country's fallen and wounded heroes in various government controlled areas of Yemen and to share with them the happiness of Eid holidays.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler's Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and ERC Chairman, launched the campaign under the humanitarian legacy of the UAE's founding president late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan AL Nahyan, and in accordance with the directives and keenness of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; to support the Yemeni people.
The campaign will provide the families with new clothing for Eid, gifts for children, cash and vouchers to purchase food items and other necessities.
The ERC will distribute items to the Yemeni families beginning on August 20 until the third day of Eid Al Adha.
"We thought Eid Al Adha is the best day to share our happiness with the Yemeni families and this is why we launched this campaign," said Dr Mohammed Al Falahi, secretary-general of the ERC, during the launch of the campaign.
"The total assistance provided to Yemen is within the framework of the UAE's efficient humanitarian and development role and its rebuilding projects to support the Yemeni people and reduce their suffering," said Al Falahi. "We have shared sorrow with the people of Yemen throughout their sufferings, and it's a good thing we also share happiness with them."
He noted that this campaign is a continuation of the UAE's humanitarian, relief and development approach in Yemen. "The campaign reflects the pride of the UAE and its people in the brotherly people of Yemen and their sacrifices," said Al Falahi.
Al Falahi said the UAE government has provided humanitarian aid to millions of Yemenis including children since the outbreak of the crisis in 2015. Meanwhile, the UAE's humanitarian aid to Yemen has touched Dh7.53? billion ($2.05 billion) in the past two years, according to the ERC. The aid, which was disbursed between April 2015 and June 2017, is part of the UAE's humanitarian approach to helping the Yemeni people. Dh1.5 billion of the total aid was from the ERC.
The ERC said that the aid to Yemen from the UAE government included food, healthcare, education and other humanitarian assistance delivered through its charitable organisations. The Emirates Red Crescent said over the past two years, it has provided Yemenis with Dh1.477 billion aid including Dh459 million in food, Dh172 million in healthcare, electricity and fuel Dh517 million, water and sanitation Dh32 million, transport Dh8 million and other humanitarian aid worth Dh47 million.
The authority has rebuilt over 300 destroyed homes in various areas of Yemen, rebuilt and renovated about 100 schools in Aden and dozens of hospitals and clinics have been renovated.
The ERC said it has provided Dh144 million on aid to the people of Yemen during the past six months of 2017.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com