SHARJAH, 28th March, 2017 (WAM) -- The Big Heart Foundation, TBHF, a Sharjah-based global humanitarian charity dedicated to helping refugees and people in need worldwide, has donated AED400,000 to ensure that children in the Gaza Strip survive the harsh winter.

TBHF has partnered with the Taawon, or Welfare Association, Palestinians largest non-profit organisation, to provide winter clothes for 2,200 paternal orphans and their mothers who are facing severe winter conditions without adequate electricity or heating.

Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of TBHF, expressed her appreciation to the Welfare Association for its campaign support. Commenting on the initiative, she underlined that their combined contribution to the Gaza winter campaign serves as an example of what civil society can offer for people in need, and stressed that the humanitarian initiative is in line with TBHFs vision to help and support refugees and displaced people across the world.

Al Hammadi pointed out that the initiative sets a great example to encourage community segments to help the underprivileged, highlighting the plight of the families living in the Gaza Strip in particular, as they are enduring the cold winter without adequate electricity and heating. She explained that their predicament means that proper clothes to keep them warm are essential to protect them from extreme discomfort and cold-induced illnesses and ailments.

Dr. Tafeeda Jarbawi, Director General of Taawon, praised the humanitarian role played by TBHF to improve the living conditions of the Palestinians living in Gaza. She thanked Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the TBHF, UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children, and wife of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for her humanitarian initiatives and ongoing support to help improve the social and economic conditions of the Palestinian people.

"Through such relief campaigns, we aim to ease the suffering of orphans living under harsh conditions in Palestine and ensure they can live a dignified life. Helping the underprivileged is one of the most socially relevant goals that individuals and society can do, and this has particular value when it is done with the only required being that of making people happy and alleviating their hardships," said Dr. Al Jarbawi.

In June 2015 Sheikha Jawaher launched TBHF to coincide with World Refugee Day, following a decision issued by Her Highness to transform what was then The Big Heart Campaign into a global foundation. The move was aimed at redoubling efforts to help refugees and people in need worldwide, with the new foundation adding significantly to the UAEs rich portfolio and long record of humanitarian initiatives.

Tawwon is a leading Palestinian non-profit organisation, working in Palestine and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. In Arabic, Taawon translates to working together to do good, an idea that lies at the core of the organisations culture, and governs its everyday operations in development.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.