Sheikha Fatima's aid for Syrian refugees

ABU DHABI // Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the wife of founding President Sheikh Zayed, has donated US$10 million (Dh37m) to help Syrian refugees.

The Big Heart for Syrian Refugee Children campaign will use the money to provide life-changing access to food, medication, shelter and education.

Almost 1.8 million Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The number of Syrians who have been registered, or are pending registration, with the UN is now about 600,000 in Lebanon, 500,000 in Jordan, 400,000 in Turkey, 160,000 in Iraq, and 100,000 in North Africa.

"Every single day that we spend at home with our loved ones this Ramadan is a blessing, and we should never forget the millions of Syrians without a roof over their heads or a motherland under their feet," Sheikha Fatima said.

"By supporting the Big Heart for Syrian Refugee Children campaign, we will show that refugees might be homeless, but never hopeless."

The campaign was launched last month by Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the wife of the Ruler of Sharjah.

"On behalf of the countless Syrians whose lives will be saved and transformed, we are extremely grateful beyond words for the massive contribution of $10 million from Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak," she said.

ecleland@thenational.ae