Dubai, January 05, 2005: The Dubai Aid City (DAC) Emergency Collection Center - an initiative started at DAC with its network of local, regional, and international clients to serve the crises in SE Asia has received a tremendous response from a large range of different sectors of the community in the UAE.

So far, DAC has collected more than 80 tons of various emergency supplies and Dhs. 800,000 in cash donations from generous donors and well-wishers in the UAE and the region.

On behalf of Dubai Aid City, Barbara Castek, Head of Dubai Aid City, said that the entire exercise has been made possible as a result of the initiative by His Highness, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister to establish Dubai Aid City. She also expressed her gratitude to the support extended by individuals, clients and partners.

Barbara Castek added: "A crises like this has shown us how important and farsighted the establishment of DAC is. As its services develop, DAC will turn into a true global humanitarian hub". A very reassuring observation is the eagerness of this generation to help immensely, especially since so many of the Tsunami victims are children. We have received reports of many children feeling lost and wandering around in the affected areas in Indonesia. Trauma has been identified as a key issue affecting most of the survivors. An interesting point to note is that most of these contributions have been made by children.

In one major initiative under the Dubai Aid City umbrella, 75 tonnes of relief aid supplies are being flown out of Dubai to Sri Lanka tonight by FedEx on behalf of the Dubai Red Crescent.  "The thoughts of everyone at FedEx are with the victims, survivors and loved ones of those affected by this disaster, said Taarek Hinedi, Managing Director, Operations,   Middle East.

"FedEx is working directly with several international relief organizations that are coordinating direct relief efforts, and is donating transportation services to help facilitate the distribution of medical supplies.  We in Dubai are glad to be able to assist  DAC and Red Crescent here and other agencies in their vital humanitarian work."

Dubai Aid City is accepting donations in the form of cash, blankets, clothes, medical supplies, non-perishable food, and tents.

The collection center at Al Attar Business Tower, 2nd floor, Sheikh Zayed Road is now open until the end of January 2005. Cheques can be written in favour of UAE Red Crescent or UNICEF.  DAC is also managing daily flights carrying relief supplies to the affected areas.

Castek added: "At this stage, cash donations are mostly encouraged for the purchase of medical supplies. Donors are welcome to send all kinds of antibiotics that have a minimum expiry date of 6 months". Crisis-hit areas are also in need of water purification tablets and rehydration tablets (ORS).

The Dubai Aid City information center is in touch with assessors on site at crisis-stricken areas to report on the needs on a daily basis. Through its network of volunteers, Dubai Aid City keeps callers and donors visiting the collection center updated on the urgently needed requirements in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Bangkok, and other affected regions.

Dubai Aid City is a non-profit government body that facilitates operations for humanitarian organizations. Whether its media support, training programmes, emergency response, or procurement, Dubai Aid City through its services offers varied solutions to the humanitarian and relief aid community.

Please call 04-3671199 if you need to volunteer or donate.

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:
Jaya Joshi / Ashraf Al Shakaa
Bates PanGulf PR
Exclusive Partner in the Middle East of
Burson-Marsteller;
Dubai,
UAE
Tel: 971-4-295-3456;
Fax: 971-4-2247839

© Press Release 2005