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UAE helps Gaza: What to donate, where to volunteer, all you need to know

A number of UAE businesses are also doing their bit, donating part of their proceeds to support Palestinians in war-torn Gaza

Published: Wed 18 Oct 2023, 8:34 AM

Updated: Sat 21 Oct 2023, 10:33 AM

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AFP

AFP

Humanitarian aid workers on the ground have been sounding the alarm for days: Gaza needs help and the situation is getting worse 'by the minute'.

The total death toll in the war between Israel and Hamas has ballooned to more than 4,500 — with an airstrike killing at least 500 at a Gaza hospital on October 17. Hundreds and thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes, not knowing where to go. And with Gaza under siege, everything is running out: Food, water, electricity, fuel, all the basic needs for survival.

Coming together in compassion for those suffering in the brutal war, the UAE has begun a nationwide humanitarian drive to collect and mobilise relief for the most vulnerable — particularly the more than one million children who make up nearly half of Gaza Strip's population.

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Donations have been pouring in as the assembly of relief parcels started in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Licensed humanitarian organisations in the country — Emirates Red Crescent and Unicef Gulf — have opened channels where residents can donate in cash or in kind.

Here's a guide:

Where to send monetary donations

  • Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) activated an online channel where people can donate via Apple Pay, by card, text message, or bank transfer. Here's the link: https://www.emiratesrc.ae/Gaza/ (best accessed on a mobile phone)
  • Unicef Gulf is accepting one-time and monthly donations. Go to this link https://linktr.ee/unicefgulf and click on 'Urgent appeal for children of Gaza crisis'
  • Sharjah Charitable Society has made it possible to receive cash donations. Donation methods available on the website https://shjc.sharjah.ae/ which include credit cards, donations via Apple and Samsung Pay, bank transfer, and SMS.

What to donate

For those who wish to donate in kind, ERC shared lists of items that people in Gaza need the most.

The organisation said donors could arrange the relief parcels in three categories: Food basket, children's basket, and women's basket.

For each basket, items have been specified, including the quantities:

For kids basket:

  • 2 Milk Powder
  • 2 Cerelac
  • 2 Liquid milk (Aptamil)
  • 1 Dietary supplement
  • 1 Towel
  • 1 Biscuit pack
  • 2 Toothpaste
  • 3 Toothbrushes
  • 6 Soap
  • 1 Shampoo
  • 1 Body Cream
  • 3 Baby Diapers
  • 2 Wet wipes

For women's basket:

  • 2 Towels
  • 1 Blanket
  • 1 Disinfectant
  • 2 Shampoo
  • 6 Soap
  • 2 Toothpaste
  • 5 Toothbrushes
  • 1 Shaving kit
  • 2 Women's cotton pads

For food carts:

  • 1 Flour
  • 1 Oil
  • Dates
  • 3 Foul
  • 2 Hummus Seeds
  • 3 Hummus Tahini
  • 2 Green peas
  • 2 Corn
  • 4 Tuna cans
  • 2 Meat
  • Tea
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Biscuits

Where to bring your donations

Emirates Red Crescent has branches across the UAE:

  • Dubai: Garhoud street - next to Sheikh Zayed Housing
  • Abu Dhabi: The General Secretariat, Zayed Sports City
  • Abu Dhabi: Baniyas
  • Al Ain: Beside Alain Coop
  • Sharjah: Alrahmaniya area, Sharjah - Althed intersection 6
  • Ajman: Meshairef area - Behind Etisalat
  • Ras Al Khaimah: Dafan al Khor - Beside RAK Bridge
  • Fujairah: King Faisal Street
  • Al Dhafra: Near Alradwan Mosque
  • Umm Al Quwain: Alraas area C - AlMualla street 26
  • RCUAE Sharjah Hospital: AlWehda Road - Hilwan Alramla - West
  • Expo Centre Sharjah: Al Taawun Street—Al Khan

Alserkal Avenue also partnered with ERC to raise funds and gather essential in-kind donations from October 20 to 30 at Warehouse A1.

A number of malls across the UAE have also put up donation boxes.

Where to volunteer for relief packing initiatives?

The UAE's 'Tarahum for Gaza' campaign have been setting up relief centres where aid is being packed. Here's the schedule for this weekend:

  • October 21 (Saturday): Al Rimal Hall, Dubai | 9am to 2pm (Overseen by Dubai Cares)
  • October 22 (Sunday): Adnec Hall 2 and 3, Abu Dhabi | 9am to 2pm
  • October 22 (Sunday): Expo Centre Sharjah | 8am to 1.30pm

Businesses contributing to the cause

From restaurants to baby shops, a number of businesses in the UAE have announced that they are donating full or a percentage of their sales for a certain period.

Among the food outlets that are sharing their blessings are Mama Rita, Maiz, Mamaesh, Burro Blanco, The Palestinian Bakery, Rascals Deli and Koala Picks. Online shops like Lullabae, Babies Basic, and Monkibox are also joining the cause.

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