Dubai Cares contributes AED 5 million to support Sheikh Khalifa’s ‘UAE Compassion’ drive

Following the recent directive by the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the immediate construction of an air bridge to deliver emergency relief supplies to a million Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and the rest of Palestine who are affected by the snow storm and the harsh winter conditions‎ that hit the Levant area, Dubai Cares today announced that it has contributed AED 5 million in support of the "UAE Compassion" (Tarahamu) initiative. Dubai Cares' contribution aims to ensure that the displaced children, who represent the majority of Syrian refugees, survive the winter storm and have a fair chance of an education in the near future.

As one of the five UAE organizations involved in supporting the UAE President's initiative, Dubai Cares' role is to engage the Dubai community for utmost contribution towards the drive. Accordingly, the philanthropic organization today also unveiled a community engagement campaign, calling on the UAE community to donate winter clothing such as jackets, coats, sweaters, socks, scarfs, ear muffs, blankets among others, as well as packed food items such as rice sacks, canned meats and vegetables, cereals and more. Winter clothing and blankets donated, whether new or used, should be clean, dry and properly packed. With regards to food donations, only packed and sealed food items are accepted. The items should be dropped off at collection points spread across Dubai. In addition to the main collection point, which is currently set up at Al Boom Tourist Village in Dubai until Tuesday January 13, 2015, several collection points are being set up across major malls in Dubai comprising Dubai Marina Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Center and The Dubai Mall from Sunday January 11, 2015 till Tuesday January 13, 2015.

Dubai Cares is working with Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and private schools in Dubai, encouraging them to manage the collection of the specified items from the students and deliver them to Dubai Cares at its main collection point in Al Boom Tourist Village in Dubai. The overall initiative will be running until Tuesday January 13, 2015.

Commenting on Dubai Cares role in supporting the initiative, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares said: "Empathy and humanity are cornerstones of our nation, and the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's 'UAE Compassion' drive, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, prompts us to act quickly to help those in need. Over the years, Dubai Cares has built up a robust fundraising and volunteer network, which we will deploy to support the drive. We ask all Dubai residents to donate winter clothing at a collection point of their convenience. We also call on corporations, individual donors and the UAE community at large to support this noble drive."

Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said that the "Tarahamu" initiative launched by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and in cooperation with Dubai Cares, reflects the unity of the UAE people in all aspects of humanitarian work regionally and internationally, calling on the private schools in Dubai to participate in this humanitarian campaign in order to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the difficult weather conditions.

Nasser Rafi, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Malls said: "The UAE Compassion campaign, being held under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, to extend timely and generous assistance to Syrian refugees in the Levant who suffer from the additional hardship of the harsh winter, highlights the humanitarian values of our leadership and nation. Emaar Malls has partnered with Dubai Cares to extend total and unwavering support to the campaign through The Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina Mall to organise collection points for donations of clothing and goods from the public from Sunday January 11 to Tuesday January 13, 2015. The public can donate clothing and other essential items to support the needy at collection points conveniently located near Waitrose at both Malls. The UAE is one of the world's leaders in extending aid to global communities. Through our support we are upholding our commitment to the nation's charitable initiatives and encouraging visitors from all over the world to our malls to partner in this noble cause."

Dubai Cares has partnered with several entities including Emaar Malls, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Majid Al Futtaim Investments and The UAE Red Crescent, which will regularly collect the donated items from malls, airlift and distribute them in the beneficiary countries. The UAE community is encouraged to make donations through Dubai Cares donation boxes that are specifically dedicated to this initiative and which are placed across the aforementioned malls as well as Al Boom Tourist Village. The UAE community can also contribute towards the unified account that was created for all charities and philanthropic organizations across the UAE.

#UAECompassion: How to donate.

ACCOUNT NAME: Emirates Red Crescent