Hamdan bin Zayed calls for expansion of ERC’s relief operations

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent, ERC, highlighted the desire of the UAE and its wise leadership to improve the current humanitarian conditions of those affected by the Syrian crisis and the events in Yemen.

Sheikh Hamdan said that the UAE has been proactive in supporting refugees and those displaced to face the effects of the exceptional circumstances that resulted from the events in Syria and Yemen, through humanitarian and development initiatives that provide the services required by the people of both countries.

Sheikh Hamdan made telephone calls to the heads of the ERC relief teams in Amman, Aden, Shabwa and Hadramaut, where he was informed about the ERC’s efforts to enhance their humanitarian response towards local victims and improve their current condition. He also reviewed the status of the ERC teams that have been in Yemen since the start of the crisis.

He called for the expansion of relief operations and development projects in the affected areas for those who are most in need of support, as well as programmes and efforts to ease their suffering.

He added that the UAE’s leadership and people have great hopes for the ERC’s current efforts to ease the humanitarian suffering of those affected, improve their current situation and provide better living conditions for Syrian refugees and the people of Yemen.

He also urged the ERC teams to adopt initiatives that cover the needs of both people and enhance the capabilities of refugees, those displaced and those affected, to achieve the aspirations of the UAE and its wise leadership to preserve the dignity of the victims of disasters and crises.

Sheikh Hamdan expressed his appreciation for the country’s wise leadership and for the considerable efforts and sacrifice of the ERC volunteers, through their presence among their brethren in the most difficult conditions and severely affected areas, as well as for offering support and helping to decrease the severity of the suffering of those affected while stressing that the UAE’s leadership and people are proud of their humanitarian ambassadors, for performing their humanitarian duties with impartiality and efficiency.

During his call to Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, Secretary-General of the ERC, and the head of an ERC delegation currently in Jordan, and Mubarak Mohammed Al Khaili, Head of the ERC in Jordan, Sheikh Hamdan learnt about the current humanitarian condition of Syrian refugees, both in and outside refugee camps in Jordan.

He was also informed about the ERC’s winter assistance programmes, which started with the distribution of food supplies, heaters, shelter materials and winter clothes to refugees in scattered and disorganised camps in several Jordanian governorates that lack many basic requirements. This assistance has also benefitted around 20,000 Syrian refugees in the Emirati-Jordanian Camp in Mrajeeb Al Fhood and the Zaatari, Irbid and Al Mafraq camps.

Sheikh Hamdan was informed about the ongoing services offered by the Emirati-Jordanian Camp to Syrian refugees and their families and was introduced to new segments and specialisations that were added to the local hospital, to provide further necessary health care.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed also called Juma Abdullah Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Head of the ERC Team in Aden, Mohammed Al Muhairi, Head of the ERC Team in Shabwa, and Abdulaziz Al Jabri, Head of the ERC Team in Hadramaut, and was informed about the latest initiatives for those affected by the Yemeni crisis and the progress of relief programmes and operations and development projects being executed in several vital areas, such as health, education, water and electricity services, and infrastructure rehabilitation, to restore the normal living conditions in these governorates.