On a positive Saturday morning, thousands of residents gathered for a noble cause rooted in compassion and unity. As early as 8 am at Qalaat Alremaal hall on Dubai-Al Ain Road, volunteers of all ages joined forces to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by the conflict in Gaza.
These dedicated residents came together to assemble relief packages, part of an initiative by Dubai Cares and the Emirates Red Crescent Society, with the goal of offering support and relief to the war-stricken victims. This campaign, known as "Tarahum - for Gaza," aligns with the UAE's humanitarian approach and was launched in the country to aid Palestinians in Gaza affected by the conflict.
The campaign is under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the World Food Programme and coordinated with the Ministry of Community Development. Participants included not only adults but also children and seniors who eagerly rolled up their sleeves to contribute. A 7-year-old named Aziz, accompanied by his mother, expressed their desire to help the people of Gaza, emphasizing that their efforts were a small but meaningful way to make a difference.
Lebanese expatriate Asmah Rahman brought her two daughters to the event, citing their prior involvement in similar initiatives in Malaysia. She noted the diverse nationalities participating in the campaign and the compassionate and generous nature of the residents of Dubai. Another resident, Mariam from Sharjah, emphasized that the relief packages symbolized hope, unity, and the belief that small actions could have a significant impact on those in need.
The volunteers were organized into ten stations to pack relief materials, focusing primarily on non-perishable food items that can be consumed directly. The remaining stations were allocated for essential supplies for women and children, such as childcare products. These contributions came from various Emirati NGOs, residents, and a few charitable organizations in the UAE, with deep gratitude expressed for the residents' precious time and dedication.
The volunteers aimed to prepare 25,000 relief packages over two days, with the next campaign set to take place in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, October 22. Quality control checks were conducted before sealing the boxes, ensuring that they were ready for shipment. Once approved, the relief boxes would be transported to the Emirates Red Crescent warehouse and readied for shipment. According to Sultan Al Shamsi, assistant minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs, the relief material would be sent to Egypt and then transported across the Raffa border into Gaza following the green signal from international authorities.