More than a hundred million dirhams has been raised across the UAE to support humanitarian efforts in war ravaged Lebanon.
The figure currently totals in excess of AED110 million ($30 million) in its first week, authorities announced with another week open to receiving more pledges .
The two-week UAE Stands With Lebanon campaign – which began on October 8th on the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan– was established to show solidarity with the Lebanese people during the current conflict with Israel.
Members of the public have been invited to make financial pledges through the website of the Emirates Red Crescent, the charitable arm of the government, and a number of UAE banks affiliated with the campaign.
Lebanon’s Death Toll
More than 2,300 people have been killed in Lebanon after nearly a year of low-level cross-border fighting with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. More than half of those were killed after Israel launched all-out war last month.
Another 1.2 million have been displaced by the escalating violence, which includes air strikes and ground attacks.
Thousands of people turned out at aid events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai at the weekend to pack 450 tonnes of essential supplies for people in Lebanon whose lives have been devastated by the conflict. Volunteers flocked to Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai on Saturday and Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal on Sunday.
Organisers said more than 8,000 people helped at the two events, filling 20,000 packages for the donation drive, which continues until Monday, October 21st.
The Emirates Red Crescent opened donation centres across various locations, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah, Al Dhafra, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Al Ain City.
Earlier in the week HRH Sheikh Mohamed also directed $30 million in aid to support displaced Lebanese citizens in Syria. More than 200,000 Lebanese have fled across the border to escape Israeli air strikes, the UN said.
Dubai’s Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building – was illuminated by a projection of the Lebanese flag in a show of support, which featured the words ‘UAE Stands with Lebanon’ written in both Arabic and English.
Lebanese ambassador Fouad Chehab Dandan thanked the UAE for its support, telling UAE media after watching the weekend’s packaging up of aid supplies: ‘I’d like to thank the Lebanese community in the UAE. What I have seen yesterday and today is something that I am so proud of.
‘To see the young and the old, and everybody, hand-in-hand, with their brothers and sisters in the UAE. All of them came together to help Lebanon. We will never forget this scene.’
Where to donate
Dubai
ERC headquarters in Al Garhoud; Al Quoz warehouses; Alserkal Avenue; City Centre Mirdif; Deira City Centre and Mall of the Emirates.
Abu Dhabi
Lulu Hypermarket, Baniyas; Baniyas Co-operative Society; Lulu Express, Shawamekh; Al Shahama (next to Co-operative Society); Carrefour (next to Carrefour Airport Road); Al Taqa (next to Dewa customer service centre); Marina Mall; Khalifa A (behind Khalifa Market).
Sharjah
ERC headquarters in Al Rahmaniya; ERC office in Al Nekhailat.
Ras Al Khaimah
ERC headquarters in Dafan Al Khor; Ras Al Khaimah donation tent; Al Dhait South donation tent; Shaam donation tent; Al Mairid donation tent
Fujairah
ERC headquarters in Al Faseel; Dubai Islamic Bank donation tent at 83 Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Sharqi Road, Dibba Al Fujairah donation tent.
Ajman
ERC headquarters in Meshairef; Festival Land; Al Murad Mall; Nesto Hypermarket in Al Rashidiya and Al Raqaib areas; Ajman Markets Co-operative Society in Al Jirf, Al Rashidiya and Al Rumaila.
Al Dhafra
Madinat Zayed Office (Zayed City); Al Dhannah Office; Al Sila Office; External offices located at Tamm Centre; Al Dhafra main centre.
Al Ain City
ERC warehouses in Al Markhaniah.
Umm Al Quwain
ERC headquarters at Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street; Carrefour Umm Al Quwain Mall, City Mall, Al Safeer Mall and Al Zeina.
What you can donate?
Food baskets: dates, canned tuna, chickpeas, beans, sweetcorn, green peas, cooking oil, flour, salt, tea, biscuits, sugar, spices.
Children’s baskets:
Soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, nappies, baby shampoo, baby food, baby feeding bottles, infant formula, baby cream, towels, blankets and biscuits.
Women’s baskets:
Soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary towels, body cream, hand sanitisors, razors and blankets.
Shelter items: Blankets, towels, children’s socks, jackets, slippers, adult’s socks, jackets and slippers.