More than 350 volunteers from across the United Arab Emirates joined hands to pack 1,200 tonnes of food, health and general hygiene items in 30,000 relief kits within four hours.
This is part of the “We Stand Together” initiative launched by a coalition of humanitarian organizations.
People from all walks of life, including the Emiratis, residents, women and children, gathered at three designated locations, namely, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Expo Centre in Sharjah, and Dubai Expo City, between 9 am and 1 pm on Saturday, in response to a nationwide call of volunteerism to collect thousands of boxes to be sent to the needy ones.
As part of this drive, 1,200 tonnes of food, health and general hygiene supplies were packed into 30,000 boxes by the end of the day.
Two Types of Relief Kits
The volunteers were divided into different groups to conduct the packing of two types of relief kits which carried food supplies and hygiene products. The kits consisted of the following items collectively:
- flour
- rice
- lentils
- oil
- essential toiletries for women and children
- diapers
- sanitary napkins
- soaps
The humanitarian initiative of ‘We Stand Together’, also gave children an opportunity to write elevating messages and make drawings, which were placed inside the relief boxes to show support for the flood-ravaged people of Pakistan and provide a sense of hope amid the calamity.
“The relief kits will be shipped by air to Pakistan,” said Abdullah Sultan bin Khadim, the top official of Sharjah Charity International whose organization was also part of the We Stand Together initiative, while talking to the official news agency of the UAE. “The initiative embodies the values of the synergy of people from all walks of life, including citizens and residents, women, men, young people and elderly as well as individuals and institutions.”
Organizations involved in “We Stand Together” initiative
The initiative was launched by Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), Dubai Cares and Sharjah Charity International in close coordination with the Ministry of Community Development (MoCD) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) in the UAE.
Nine other humanitarian organizations which were included in the philanthropic cause are: