UAE boosts humanitarian efforts for Gazans during Ramadan as fighting rages on

Following the directives of President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council has resolved to intensify relief supplies for Palestinian people in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan.

The UAE’s expanded Ramadan aid initiatives for Gazans in need cover essential supplies, healthcare and religious observance, highlighting the Gulf state’s unflinching commitment to addressing the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.

The Emirates launched the ‘Gallant Knight 3’ operation on November 5 last year, led by the Joint Operations Command of the Ministry of Defence, to alleviate the sufferings of the Palestinian people, especially the vulnerable ones such as women, children and the elderly.

UAE’s commitment to alleviating sufferings of Gazans

1. Substantial amount of relief supplies delivered

Relief aid has been delivered to the Gaza Strip via 212 aircraft and a couple of cargo ships, besides a third ship currently en route to the Egyptian city of Al Arish. 922 trucks have been mobilised so far and 521 of them have already entered the Gaza Strip.

The total relief supplies provided totals 21,000 tonnes of food, health aid and shelter materials. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has been raging on since October 7’s surprise Hamas attack. The death toll in Gaza from Israel’s retaliatory strikes have crossed 31,500.

2. UAE people lending a helping hand

The UAE has also launched the ‘Tarahum – for Gaza‘ campaign to better assist the Palestinian people impacted by the fighting. More than 24,000 volunteers have participated domestically, assembling 71,000 relief baskets from locally sourced materials.

3. UAE-Egypt partnership helping deliver aid

Late last month, the GCC nation initiated Operation ‘Birds of Goodness’ to deliver 293 tonnes of much-needed aid via Emirati and Egyptian aircraft. Joint crews from both countries have conducted the drop operation over the northern Gaza Strip.

4. UAE’s field hospital and floating hospital in Gaza

The Emirati Field Hospital in Gaza, housing 200 beds and staffed by over 100 medical professionals, has handled 8,798 cases and offered a diverse range of medical services, including internal medicine, anaesthesia, surgeries and orthopaedics.

The UAE Floating Hospital, anchored at the port of Al Arish, is staffed by numerous medical and administrative professionals, encompassing different specialities. It boasts a 100-bed capacity and has operating theatres, intensive care units and a laboratory, among others.

5. UAE’s promising healthcare initiative

The Gulf state has been delivering essential relief supplies to people in need since the beginning of the conflict. It has also implemented a promising healthcare initiative, aimed at treating 1,000 Palestinian children and 1,000 Palestinian cancer patients in UAE hospitals.

6. Taking care of basic necessities

In addition, it has already established six water desalination plants, generating 1.2 million gallons of potable water every day. Five automated bakeries are also helping meet the daily requirements of tens of thousands of people in the besieged enclave.

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