1mln people benefit from UAE campaign for displaced Syrians in Lebanon

BEIRUT- Hamad Saeed Sultan Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Lebanon, has announced the end of the UAE Response Campaign for Displaced Syrians 'Winter 2019 - Lebanon'.

The campaign began in January, in response to Lebanon’s request for relief support, after storms caused damage affecting Syrian refugees and local Lebanese people. It has benefited one million displaced and needy Syrians, Lebanese and Palestinians, coinciding with the 'Year of Tolerance'.

The two-part campaign was funded by a grant from the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, in implementation of the directives of the UAE’s leadership to offer urgent aid to displaced Syrians in Lebanon valued at US$5 million.

The campaign was also funded by the Emirates Red Crescent, ERC, as directed by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the ERC, as well as by Human Appeal International and Sharjah Charity International. The campaign included the distribution of heaters, food parcels, blankets, mattresses, winter clothes, shoes and diesel oil.

Several Lebanese authorities also participated in the campaign. Ambassador Al Shamsi thanked the Emirati authorities that donated to the campaign, which has enhanced the UAE’s stature as the world’s leading donor of foreign aid. He also noted that the UAE is a leading promoter of humanitarian principles, following the legacy of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Preparations are underway for a new campaign for Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, he added.