BERBERA, Somalia, (WAM) — A UAE ship carrying 1,700 tonnes of food supplies, provided by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation to alleviate the dire living conditions and assist those affected by drought, has arrived in the Berbera Port in Somalia.
This gesture is in implementation of the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
It is in line with the ‘For You Somalia’ campaign under the Year of Giving Initiative 2017, which was launched by the UAE President to provide help to the Somalis. It aims to enhance the role played by the UAE and to spread its humanitarian and cultural message to address the crisis of famine in Somalia, and the disasters in various countries across the world.
An official source at the Foundation told the Emirates News Agency, WAM, that the urgent relief was in response to the directives of the wise leadership to fulfil the food needs of the Somalis who are suffering in difficult humanitarian conditions.
The ship sailed from Hamriyah Port in Dubai and arrived on Saturday at Berbera Port in the north-west of Somalia. A relief team from the Foundation will begin distributing food supplies immediately after the ship has been unloaded, he informed.
The relief ship is carrying about 1,700 tonnes of basic food supplies “including 32,000 10-kg bags of rice, 32,000 5-kg bags of sugar, 26,667 boxes of milk powder, 40,000 5-litre bottles of water, 26,668 10-kg bags of flour, 26,668 packs of cooking oil and 1,650 boxes of dates. In addition, 21,697 pairs of women’s shoes and children’s socks will be distributed to those affected by the drought that hit large areas in Somalia.”
He reiterated that a delegation from the Foundation will oversee the distribution of food and milk baskets to provide moral and material support to those affected by the drought.
Somali officials hailed the distinguished relations between their country and the UAE. They also extended their appreciation to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi for the efforts made by the Foundation to alleviate the suffering of the Somalis. They stressed that the gesture is an Emirati legacy, as the country spares no effort to provide assistance to Somalia, and various countries across the world.
Source: WAM
