UAE campaign aims to bring warmth to Syrian refugees

Sharjah - As many as 6.5 million people, including 2.8 million children, have been displaced within Syria

More than 2,500 families who were displaced from the war-torn cities of Aleppo in Syria and Mosul in Iraq will receive help from a Sharjah-based charity's relief campaign themed 'Warm Hearts'.

The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF) has launched the campaign in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to collect funds in view of the deepening crisis and the onset of a harsh winter in Syria and Iraq.

The campaign is in response to the directives of Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of TBHF and UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children, in a show of solidarity with Syrian and Iraqi families displaced from their homes as a result of armed conflicts in the two cities.

Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of 'Salam Ya Seghar,' a TBHF initiative, said: "Displaced families from Aleppo and Mosul are suffering on a massive scale due to the ongoing conflicts in their cities. What is happening in these areas is a humanitarian disaster, where families, including women, children and elderly people, are being forced to flee their homes and take shelter in camps, schools and very often in open areas without the essential materials that protect them from the harsh weather conditions which can see temperatures drop below -10 degree Celsius."

Over the years, TBHF has extended a helping hand to hundreds of thousands of people in need around the world, thanks to the immense support of the Emirati community.

"Coinciding with the Year of Giving declared by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we aim through 'Warm Hearts', to bring all communities together to show their unity and support. From UAE citizens to residents, we ask everyone to stand together to offer financial support, no matter how large or small the donation, and provide the most basic supplies to those who are in a desperate need of warm materials and heating during these bitter winter months."

Al Hammadi urged everyone in the UAE to play a part in alleviating the suffering of displaced children and the elderly through their donations. The proceeds of the campaign will support UNHCR's humanitarian and protection operations, which will improve the lives of 2,500 families comprising over 16,000 individuals.

According to statistics, 6.5 million people, including 2.8 million children, have been displaced within Syria, the biggest internally displaced population in the world. At 3.4 million people, Iraq now has the third largest population of internally displaced people in the world.
How to donate

> Donation boxes will be available at various locations in Sharjah and Ajman, including several stores at the Sahara Centre, Sharjah International Airport, a number of museums of the Sharjah Museums Department, Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, Matajer Al Qarayen in Sharjah, Paper Fig Desserts Restaurant, branches of Sharjah Cooperative Society in the middle region of the Emirate of Sharjah, City Centre Ajman and Grand Central Ajman

> Donations can also be made by sending a Du SMS to the following numbers: 9965 to donate Dh10, or 9967 to donate Dh50, or 9968 to donate Dh100

> Those who wish to make direct fund transfers can send their donations to TBHF's Sharjah Islamic Bank account: 0011430430012 with, or to IBAN: AE260410000011430430012


reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah