ABU DHABI: For 6 hours from 2pm to 8pm on Friday, citizens and residents of the UAE competed to make financial and in-kind donations through the unified live broadcast of the campaign (For You Somalia) on Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah TV channels, in addition to local radio stations under the supervision of the National Media Council to support millions of vulnerable people suffering from drought, hunger and armed conflict in Somalia.
The total value of the donations reached Dhs165 million in this period.
Families visited more than 200 donation sites in shopping centres across the country.
Children in need
Children actively interacted with the campaign and offered their own savings to help save children who are struggling in Somalia.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Humanitarian Foundation topped the donators with Dhs3 million.
The DHA donated Dhs2 million, the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments donated Dhs1 million, Emirates Islamic Bank donated Dhs1 million, Dr Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the UAE Red Crescent Authority, donated Dhs1 million, a benefactor donated Dhs1 million, VBS Group donated Dhs1 million, Saif Bin Darwish Al Ketbi donated Dhs1 million, Umm Al Quwain Charity Association donated Dhs300,000, Fujairah Charity Association donated Dhs500,000, and Hamad bin Suhail Al Khaili donated Dhs500,000. On his part, Mohammed Yousif Al Fahim, Deputy Secretary-General for Support Services at the UAE Red Crescent Authority, said: “There is now a Red Crescent team in Somalia providing assistance to those affected by famine and drought, in addition to a vessel currently being loaded with 50,000 tons of food, drinking water and health assistance.”
He added: “Our brethren need sustainable assistance, not just food aid, such as building markets, schools, universities and study centres.”
Source:The Gulf Today
