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Thousands of people turned out in force at aid events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai over the weekend to pack 450 tonnes of essential supplies for people in Lebanon whose lives have been devastated by war.
Huge crowds of volunteers flocked to Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai on Saturday and Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal on Sunday morning to support Lebanon through a relief campaign organised by the Emirates Red Crescent.
The community-spirited initiative, titled UAE Stands with Lebanon, began at 9am on both days, drawing families and people from diverse nationalities in solidarity with Lebanon as the country faces a severe humanitarian crisis.
Organisers said more than 8,000 people lent a helping hand at the two events, packing 20,000 aid relief packages under the donation drive, which continues until Monday, October 21.
The continuing Israeli air strikes and a ground invasion targeting the Iran-aligned militant group Hezbollah has displaced more than 1.2 million people and killed more than 2,000.
From the early hours on Sunday, long queues of Emiratis, residents and volunteers formed at Cruise Terminal 1 to collect and pack relief supplies, including blankets, clothing, hygiene items and other essentials.
UAE residents said they are saddened by the devastation in Lebanon and want to help. “We are distraught by this war,” said Hassan Mohammed, a 41-year-old Syrian expat, who brought his four children along because “they all want to help the people of Lebanon”.
Lebanese ambassador Fouad Chehab Dandan thanked the UAE for its support, expressing his admiration for the outpouring of assistance. He told The National that he was deeply moved by the immense show of solidarity from the UAE and the Lebanese community living here.
“I’d like to thank the Lebanese community in the UAE. What I have seen yesterday and today is something that I am so proud of," he said. "To see the young and the old, and everybody, hand in hand, with their brothers and sisters in the UAE. All of them came together to help Lebanon. We will never forget this scene."
“This is an embodiment of the campaign’s slogan: We stand by Lebanon,” Hamadan Al Mazrouei, chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent, said.
“There are no words to describe the atrocities currently happening in Lebanon. We in the UAE, which has a relationship of love, respect, and friendship with Lebanon from the time of the founding father, couldn’t just stand by. We had to offer a helping hand.”
Coni Francisco, 43, from the Philippines, was at the event with her nine-year-old son. “We are volunteering because we stand for peace,” she said.
Suhair Abdullah, from Lebanon, packaged goods alongside her nieces and family. Her 17-year-old niece, Leen, said she felt proud to be a part of the campaign, seeing the entire community come together for Lebanon.
“I’m here today to do everything I can to help Lebanon," she said. "I think it is really important to put in the effort in helping in any possible way. No matter what, the bare minimum and any effort we put in will help Lebanon. Since we are far away from home, I’m especially grateful to Abu Dhabi for everything they have done and all the donations they’ve collected for Lebanon.”
A national effort
Another donation centre, in Warehouse 46 of Dubai's Alserkal Avenue, received an influx of people and donations by midday.
"Today is a Sunday, so I think a lot of parents are bringing their kids to be a part of this great initiative," Aparna Lal, 44, talent and operations representative at Alserkal, told The National. "The world is a place where we all have to work together to support each other, whatever humanitarian efforts that any individual can make. It's always good to give back wherever you can."
The centre will be open until October 21 from 10am-6pm. "Come by, bring food items that have longer validity, bring blankets, the weather is going to change, it'll become colder. Every bit you actually contribute is a donation that will help somebody," Ms Lal added.
"We are here to send a lot of donations for the kids who are at the shelters right now, so these are some clothes that we had for our kids, and we just wanted to send them for them to use because we know they are displaced right now. Winter is coming and they probably need all the support we can send," said Mariam Bachir, 35, a Lebanese woman who recently moved to Dubai for work.
A similar event held in Dubai on Saturday also had a huge turnout, with thousands gathering at Expo City to pack relief materials.
The Emirates Red Crescent has opened donation centres on Friday across various locations, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah, Al Dhafra, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Al Ain City.
It is expected that about 10,000 tonnes of aid will be sent to Lebanon in the coming days.
Lebanon aid event at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal - in pictures
Where to donate
Dubai
ERC headquarters in Al Garhoud; Al Quoz warehouses; Alserkal Avenue; City Centre Mirdif; Deira City Centre and Mall of the Emirates.
Abu Dhabi
Lulu Hypermarket, Baniyas; Baniyas Co-operative Society; Lulu Express, Shawamekh; Al Shahama (next to Co-operative Society); Carrefour (next to Carrefour Airport Road); Al Taqa (next to Dewa customer service centre); Marina Mall; Khalifa A (behind Khalifa Market).
Sharjah
ERC headquarters in Al Rahmaniya; ERC office in Al Nekhailat.
Ras Al Khaimah
ERC headquarters in Dafan Al Khor; Ras Al Khaimah donation tent; Al Dhait South donation tent; Shaam donation tent; Al Mairid donation tent
Fujairah
ERC headquarters in Al Faseel; Dubai Islamic Bank donation tent at 83 Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Sharqi Road, Dibba Al Fujairah donation tent.
Ajman
ERC headquarters in Meshairef; Festival Land; Al Murad Mall; Nesto Hypermarket in Al Rashidiya and Al Raqaib areas; Ajman Markets Co-operative Society in Al Jirf, Al Rashidiya and Al Rumaila.
Al Dhafra
Madinat Zayed Office (Zayed City); Al Dhannah Office; Al Sila Office; External offices located at Tamm Centre; Al Dhafra main centre.
Al Ain City
ERC warehouses in Al Markhaniah.
Umm Al Quwain
ERC headquarters at Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street; Carrefour Umm Al Quwain Mall, City Mall, Al Safeer Mall and Al Zeina.
What you can donate?
Food baskets:
Boxes of dates; cans of tuna, chickpeas, beans, sweetcorn, green peas, cooking oil, flour, salt, tea, glucose biscuits, sugar and spices.
Children's baskets:
Soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, nappies, baby shampoo, baby food, baby feeding bottles, infant formula, baby cream, towels, blankets and glucose biscuits.
Women's baskets:
Soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, towels, body cream, hand sanitiser, razors and blankets.
Shelter items:
Blankets, towels, children's socks, jackets, slippers, adult's socks, jackets and slippers.
Volunteers pack aid for Lebanon in Dubai's Expo City – in pictures
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