ERC’s International Ramadan programmes to benefit over 2 million people

Upon the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), the ERC has intensified its Ramadan programmes for 2022, which will benefit over 2.1 million people in the UAE and the rest of the world.

They comprise Ramadan Iftar, Zakat al-Fitr, Eid clothes, Ramadan mir campaigns, as well as projects for breaking fast, with a preliminary budget of over AED36.8 million.

The ERC announced the launch of the campaign for this year under the theme, 'Ramadan: Continued Giving,' during a press conference held today in the UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, to support target categories.

Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, ERC Secretary-General, said the ERC and its global programmes are witnessing significant growth, due to the directives of the UAE’s leadership.

"The ERC’s Ramadan campaign, which we are launching today, aims to gain from the support of philanthropists to ease the suffering of people, improve their lives, maintain human dignity and address poverty, hunger and disease."

Al Falahi also noted that the ERC’s Ramadan activities aim to strengthen its ties with the UAE’s giving community and boost its partnerships with all sectors, to support its local and international efforts to enlarge the scope of beneficiaries of its programmes and services.

Hamoud Abdullah Al Junaibi, Deputy Secretary-General for Marketing and Resources Development, said the ERC is gearing up to start the Holy Month of Ramadan by promoting human solidarity and offering the opportunity to those interested in participating in its local and international programmes.

Hundreds of thousands of people will benefit from the ERC programmes, he added, thanking this year's sponsors, which are the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), First Abu Dhabi Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, Etisalat, Carrefour, Dolphin Energy, the Al Masaood Group, Abu Dhabi Media and the Abu Dhabi Co-Operative Society.

Salem Al Rayes Al Ameri, Deputy Secretary-General of the Local Aid Sector at the ERC, said 1,450,438 people in the UAE will benefit from this year’s Ramadan programmes valued at AED21,303,430. Some 1,151,600 people will benefit from the ERC’s local Iftar programme worth AED11,516,600, while 44,928 people will benefit from its Ramadan mir programme, which provides food to needy families and people in need at a cost of AED4,241,230, in addition to 51,810 people who will receive Zakat al-Fitr worth nearly AED4,315,000, and 2,100 orphans who will receive Eid clothing valued at AED630,000.

Fahad Abdelrahman bin Sultan, Deputy Secretary-General for International Development and Cooperation, stated that 662,892 people in 64 countries will benefit from Ramadan programmes valued at AED15,500,000. Some 542,645 people will benefit from the ERC’s Iftar programme, 88,744 people from its Zakat al-Fitr programme, and 31,503 people from its Eid clothes programme, with a value of AED2 million.

Ahmed Salem Al Rashedi, Regional Head of Real Estate Financing at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, spoke at the press conference, highlighting the ongoing cooperation between the bank and the ERC.

Aida Al Shamsi, Head of Human Resources at the Abu Dhabi Co-Operative Society, said the society is part of the Emirati society and, therefore, is keen to implement humanitarian initiatives that will benefit the society’s members.

Mohammed Abdullah Al Shehhi, Director of Government Relations Management at Abu Dhabi Media, said the ERC’s Ramadan campaign is a leading initiative in terms of promoting humanitarian giving, noting that the UAE and its leadership are major contributors.

Abu Dhabi Media, as the campaign’s media partner, is committed to harnessing its media platforms to support the country's efforts to ensure the campaign’s success, he added.

Ahmed Salmeen, CEO of Government Affairs at the Al Masaood Group, affirmed his company's keenness to support humanitarian work through the efforts of relevant humanitarian organisations and associations, led by the ERC.

The ERC has allocated some 250 locations to collect donations nationwide, mostly in shopping centres, markets and other gathering points, in addition to the possibility of donating via its centres, website, smart app, bank transfers and SMS.

News Source: Emirates News Agency