Humanitarian Initiative “UAE Stands with You, Lebanon”: UAE sends 1,100 Tons of Relief Aid to Lebanon

23rd October 2024

3 minutes read

Humanitarian Initiative "UAE Stands with You, Lebanon": UAE sends 1,100 Tons of Relief Aid to Lebanon

The United Arab Emirates continues to solidify its position as one of the world’s largest humanitarian aid donors by launching a wide-scale community campaign to support the Lebanese people facing dire humanitarian conditions. As part of this campaign, titled “Emirates Stands with You, Lebanon,” hundreds of tons of relief aid have been prepared with the participation of thousands of volunteers, sending a message of solidarity and hope to the Lebanese people.

Amid the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, the UAE initiated the “Emirates Stands with You, Lebanon” campaign, aimed at supporting the Lebanese people by providing urgent relief aid.

This initiative aligns with the UAE’s ongoing efforts to support crisis-affected countries, embodying the humanitarian and solidarity values that the nation upholds.

Since the launch of the campaign, more than 4,000 volunteers from across the UAE have participated in preparing 10,000 relief packages containing food, medicine, and essential supplies. Additionally, 200 tons of relief materials are being sent to Lebanon to alleviate the suffering of those affected in the country. According to officials, these efforts respond promptly to the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership, which emphasized the importance of swiftly providing support to the Lebanese people.

In this context, Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development and International Organizations, affirmed that the campaign reflects the values of solidarity between the UAE and Lebanon. Al Shamsi said: “The UAE has always been at the forefront of helping those in need and those affected by wars and conflicts, and the ‘Emirates Stands with You, Lebanon’ campaign is part of the rapid response to the crisis facing our Lebanese brothers.” He added that the campaign carries a message of hope to the Lebanese people in the difficult circumstances they are enduring.

Since the onset of the Lebanese crisis, the UAE has been unwavering in its humanitarian support. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, directed the provision of $100 million to support the Lebanese people, in addition to $30 million in urgent assistance to Lebanese refugees in Syria.

Moreover, the “Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives” foundation has launched several initiatives to assist the Lebanese, including distributing aid packages to benefit 250,000 individuals.

As part of these efforts, nine planes loaded with emergency aid have been sent to Lebanon since October 4, in collaboration with international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). These planes have transported 375 tons of food, medical supplies, and shelter equipment.

Officials have announced that additional humanitarian flights will continue to be dispatched to Beirut in the coming days to ensure that aid reaches all affected areas.

The campaign continues

On Saturday, October 12, 2024, the campaign continued at the Dubai Exhibition Center, where volunteers participated in packing and preparing aid. The campaign will resume on Sunday at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, under the supervision of the Emirates Red Crescent, and is expected to extend to other emirates in the coming days.

Regional and International Reactions

The “Emirates Stands with You, Lebanon” campaign has received widespread praise from the international community and humanitarian organizations. A spokesperson for the UNHCR emphasized that the UAE plays a crucial role in supporting those affected worldwide, commending the country’s swift response to humanitarian crises. On the other hand, many Lebanese expressed their deep gratitude to the UAE on social media, noting that the UAE’s support is among the most significant during a time when the country is facing successive crises on all fronts.

New Developments

In the past 24 hours, reports have indicated the arrival of new aid shipments from other countries, including France and Turkey, which have joined the humanitarian efforts to assist Lebanon.

As the Lebanese people continue to face mounting challenges such as fuel shortages, electricity outages, and rising prices of basic goods, the UAE remains at the forefront of donors and supporters of Lebanon, leading relief campaigns in coordination with the international community to meet urgent humanitarian needs.