UAE Red Crescent spends billions in 30 years

ABU DHABI // More than Dh6 billion in aid has been distributed by the Emirates Red Crescent over the past 30 years.

The charity's achievements and challenges were outlined at a majlis hosted by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on Wednesday.

"With humanitarian work, you have no idea where to start and where to end," said Dr Mohammed Al Falahi, secretary general of the Emirates Red Crescent. "Particularly under the name of the UAE."

He stressed that the country had a policy of giving aid to anyone in need, following the example set by the founding President, Sheikh Zayed, the father of the nation.

"With humanitarian work, we do not look at gender, religion, colour or anything," he said, using a Quranic verse to illustrate the religious mandate to help everyone, no matter who they are.

"Building a mosque, that would be a charity since it will help only Muslims," Dr Al Falahi said. "But a hospital or a water well, that would help so many more. This is humanitarian."

Since the agency was established in 1983, it has helped people in 100 countries affected by natural disasters and political unrest. Refugee camps have been built in Somalia, Bosnia and Jordan.

The UAE-funded camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan run by the Red Crescent opened in April this year, and is partly run on solar power, Dr Al Falahi said, in line with the UAE's vision for renewable energy.

All this helped the UAE become the 16th largest aid donor in the world last year, up 10 places from 2011.

"The Red Crescent has helped in this," Dr Al Falahi said. "We hope that it goes higher."

There have been numerous challenges to overcome while giving aid. In Bosnia, the agency intended to build a camp to accommodate 2,000 people. But Sheikh Zayed ordered the work be expanded to house an additional 8,000 people.

Camps were built in 10 days, and word quickly spread of the services offered, prompting long queues.

In Indonesia, Red Crescent volunteers trying to help tsunami victims were attacked by street bandits. After convincing the robbers they were providing aid, the volunteers managed to escape.

The most difficult challenge so far has been the loss of Red Crescent executive Saleh Al Jabri, who feel ill and died from a fever while on an aid mission.

Dr Al Falahi described touching moments in Al Jabri's presence before his death. In Mali, during his last visit, volunteers found buildings, streets and even a mountain named after Sheikh Zayed in honour of all the aid he had given.

Another memorable moment was during Dr Al Falahi's journey to Giza, in Egypt.

"An Egyptian told me they were more upset over the passing of Sheikh Zayed than us," he said. "He said thanks to Sheikh Zayed's aid, millions were living in buildings he had built.

"He said [many people] passed their condolences to him daily."

In Libya, an elderly man asked why the Red Crescent was there amid the turmoil in 2011. When he replied that they came to help, he said: "No, it was their inheritance of Sheikh Zayed's kind heart."

"He said his spirit was in all of us," Dr Al Falahi said.

The majlis erupted in applause.

The audience asked what was being done to document Sheikh Zayed's work around the world.

Dr Al Falahi suggested that a committee from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and media outlets could carry out this task. He also thanked the ministry for its help with the authority's overseas missions.

Following the lecture, Fouad Siniora, the former prime minister of Lebanon, spoke of the great agony of the Syrian people, and the many who had sought refuge in his country after fleeing the war at home.

"So what help will you give to Lebanon?" he asked Dr Al Falahi.

Dr Al Falahi assured him that supporting Lebanon during this time was one of many priorities for Emirates Red Crescent.

He said the leadership was keen to continue its support, most recently by opening a branch office to help the Lebanese and the refugees in the country.

osalem@thenational.ae