- Dubai Rotary Club raises $100,000 for relief efforts in Lebanon -

Dubai, UAE, July 30th, 2006: The Dubai Rotary Club, held under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and UNICEF have united their efforts to help the people of Lebanon.

As part of UNICEF's aid and relief support in the war-ravaged country, an 'Appeal for Lebanon' was today launched in Dubai by the two organisations.

The Dubai Rotary Club has started the campaign rolling by donating $100,000 towards the UNICEF appeal to help assist the children and civilians who have suffered from the destruction in Lebanon.

The funds will be used towards the purchase of crucial equipment such as generators and emergency packs.

"Consolidating our efforts with UNICEF will provide the necessary assistance and support that is required in various parts of Lebanon, in particular within the dismantled south," said Samir Kanaan, Vice President of the Dubai Rotary Club.

"The magnitude of the disaster needs the immediate attention and help from everyone, whether individual or organizational."

"There has been huge compassion shown by people and organisations around the globe who are doing their very best to assist in any way possible."

"These efforts can be best co-ordinated through organisations such as the Dubai Rotary Club and UNICEF who are experienced in the distribution of effective aid that gets to the most needy people at the right time and in the right place." 

Since the strikes on Lebanon, UNICEF has co-ordinated a massive relief effort to help save and support the displaced citizens, in particular the country's children.

This has included the dispatch of emergency health kits with essential medicines, provision of clean water, sanitation facilities in schools and Emergency Family Kits (for the displaced with soap, buckets, pots and pans, blankets, etc).

"We are working with a broad range of partners in Lebanon to save lives, protect civilians, and support services such as health, water and sanitation, education and psycho-social care," said Omar Shehadeh, Regional Donor Relation Officer for UNICEF.

"The support the Dubai Rotary Club has given is vital in our efforts to help relieve the suffering of those whose lives have been so severely affected in Lebanon."

"We urge the support of other local organisations to join us and the Lebanese government in assisting relief efforts during this important time of need for the Lebanese people."

Since its establishment the Dubai Rotary Club has substantially answered the call for humanitarian aid. Chaired by Brigadier Saeed Bin Beleilah, it has supported charity organizations within the UAE and abroad.  Wheel chairs were dispatched to Iraq, almost $90,000 was allocated for the tsunami relief operations, as well as substantial funds for the Pakistan earthquake relief effort and financial aid has been provided for various UAE charities. 

The Appeal for Lebanon Campaign Account Number is now open with Emirates Bank International: Account Number - 0078 - 505165 - 002. Address: Dubai World Trade Centre Branch, PO Box 11909, Dubai, UAE. Financial support can now be transferred to this account.

For further details please contact 04 - 2844963 or email dbrotary@emirates.net.ae

-Ends- 

Editor's note:
Preliminary estimates indicate that an estimated 600 people have been killed and 1600 injured in Lebanon alone - more than one third are children. An estimated 700,000 people are reportedly internally displaced with an estimated 125,000 people living in 587 schools and public gardens in and around Beirut. An estimated 45 per cent of the displaced are children.

For further details please contact
Toufiq Othman
050 595 6727
email: toufiq@promoseven.com

© Press Release 2006