UAE volunteers prepare 200 tonnes of aid for Lebanon

On October 12, the UAE launched the "UAE Stands with Lebanon" national campaign, delivering 200 tonnes of aid through 10,000 relief packages.

The initiative, supported by 4,000 volunteers, is part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to assist Lebanon amidst its escalating humanitarian crisis, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Sultan Al Shamsi, the UAE's Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development Affairs and International Organisations, emphasized the UAE's commitment to providing relief to those affected by wars and conflicts. "This campaign embodies the UAE’s humanitarian principles and deep-rooted values of solidarity and cooperation, offering vital assistance to those in need," he stated. 

Al Shamsi highlighted the swift response from the UAE’s leadership, including President Sheikh Mohamed's direction to provide $100 million in aid, with $30 million allocated for urgent relief to displaced Lebanese citizens in Syria. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, also directed urgent aid to benefit 250,000 people in Lebanon through the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI).

Since October 4, the UAE has dispatched nine planes carrying 375 tonnes of essential supplies, including food, relief, and shelter, to Lebanon. These efforts are coordinated with international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, UNHCR, and the IFRC. More humanitarian flights are scheduled in the coming days.

The "UAE Stands with Lebanon" campaign kicked off in Expo City Dubai, and future events are planned across the UAE, starting with Abu Dhabi on October 13. These initiatives reaffirm the UAE’s longstanding support for Lebanon and its leadership in global humanitarian efforts.

By Khagan Isayev