Humanitarian assistance worth Dh1 billion was donated by the UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) to the needy worldwide, according to a report issued by the organisation.
The huge sum (the estimated expenditure up to August this year) went towards humanitarian and charitable operations implemented by the RCA in countries hit by natural disasters and armed conflicts, as well as homeless or displaced people.
The details were revealed in an announcement coinciding with the Second Forum of the Donor Countries for the International Association of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Abu Dhabi next Saturday.
The report said the RCA usually sends delegations to deliver humanitarian aid to people hit by natural disasters and conflicts in the world after coordinating with the UAE's embassies abroad.
As a humanitarian authority, the RCA says it offers help all over the world without discrimination on grounds of politics, religion, nationality or race.
Relief programmes in Palestine have accounted for at least one third of the RCA's expenditure. The charity launched an air bridge between the UAE and Jordan and Egypt, which have borders with Palestine, in order to send supplies to the needy in Palestine.
It was recognised as the first humanitarian organisation that managed to enter the Palestinian occupied Territories after the outbreak of Al Aqsa Intifada, where a range of charitable projects were established including health, education and construction.
The RCA was one of the first international agencies to provide relief to people in Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as refugees and the homeless in other trouble spots in 92 countries.
It also implemented relief programmes in Iraq since the early 1990s, to help Iraqis during the UN-imposed sanctions which lasted for 12 years, and then during the war in Iraq. The amount spent on humanitarian programmes in Iraq was Dh142.3 million.
The charity's operations are implemented in line with the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, as well as the close follow up of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
Sheikh Hamdan was quoted by WAM as saying: "The RCA was established two decades ago, and during this period, has achieved major accomplishments in the field of humanitarian relief and reconstruction projects."
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, wife of the President and Chairwoman of the UAE General Women's Union and Honorary Chairperson of the RCA, said: "In the same way as palm trees grow and become deeply rooted in the emirates' soil, welfare and charity has become installed in the minds of UAE nationals, who are inspired by their wise and benevolent leader.
"It has recorded honourable presence in the international arena through its widespread humanitarian operations in Kosovo, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Afghanis-tan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and other parts of the world."
Sanaa Darwish Al Katbi, Secretary General of the RCA, said: "The progress and achievements of humanitarian donation and care in the UAE will be written into history for generations to come.
"UAE women has also played an active role in the area of humanitarian work alongside men and managed to succeed in parts of the world that have witness major events".
Gulf News
