ABU DHABI: The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) launched a humanitarian aid convoy for Gaza Strip, part of their winter campaign named “Be Their Warmth”. Around 1.65 million winter clothing items and blankets were included in the convoy to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
The Head of the ERC delegation in Gaza, Mohammed Omar Al Shimmari, highlighted the specific targeting of the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing war, emphasising the humanitarian tragedy and the displacement of thousands. With temperatures dropping, the aid programme, to be executed in phases in collaboration with humanitarian partners, aims to assist those struggling without shelter.
He stated that coordination with Egypt is underway to ensure aid delivery through the Rafah Border Crossing. These efforts are part of the UAE’s dedication to supporting Palestinians and other people globally during crises.
The ERC has launched donation channels for the “Be Their Warmth” campaign, urging public participation. Donation categories range
from AED 10 to AED 300, targeting various necessities like winter clothing, heating devices, food baskets, and health packages. Arrangements have been finalised to optimise efficiency and facilitate donations through multiple channels such as the website, bank deposits, smartphone apps, text messages, toll-free numbers, cash donation boxes, and representatives in about 175 locations nationwide, notably in shopping centres and markets.
Source: Emirates News Agency
GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reiterated his call for the international community to take urgent steps to alleviate the grave peril facing the population of Gaza and jeopardize the ability of humanitarian workers to help people with terrible injuries, acute hunger, and at severe risk of disease.
According to the latest WHO assessments, Gaza has 13 partially functioning hospitals; 2 minimally functioning ones, and 21 that are not functioning at all.
In WHO’s latest high-risk mission, its teams visited two hospitals in Gaza; Al-Shifa in the north and Al-Amal Palestine Red Crescent Society in the south to deliver supplies and assess needs on the ground, said WHO in a statement.
‘WHO’s ability to supply medicines, medical supplies, and fuel to hospitals is being increasingly constrained by the hunger and desperation of people en route to, and within, hospitals we reach,’ said the statement.
The recent United Nations Security Council resolution appear
ed to provide hope of an improvement in humanitarian aid distribution within Gaza,’ the WHO Director-General added. ‘However, based on WHO eyewitness accounts on the ground, the resolution is tragically yet to have an impact.’
‘What we urgently need right now is a ceasefire to spare civilians from further violence and begin the long road towards reconstruction and peace,’ he said.
Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA