UAE Extends $30 Million Relief Package to Lebanese Citizens in Syria

The United Arab Emirates has declared a large humanitarian plan, the government of the U.A.E has decided to provide $30 million in emergency funds to support the Lebanese civilians who are in Syria because of continuing attacks on Lebanon by Israel. This urgent relief aid is part of the $100 million assistance pledged last week as part of the UAE’s humanitarian aid to Lebanon in its time of need.

Emergency Response and Aid Distribution

UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed has approved six more flights to deliver aid shipments inside Lebanon. It responds to immediate humanitarian requirements since Israel’s attack on southern Lebanon, eastern parts and Beirut has caused over 1000 deaths and compelled hundreds of thousands of people to fly to the north or across the border to Syria.

Emirates Red Crescent Leads ‘UAE Stands with Lebanon’ Campaign

According to Dr. Hamdan AL Mazrouei, Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), the new UAE Stands with Lebanon proves the UAE’s friends are never left behind. To this end, the ERC is going all out to assist this effort employing it’s the emergency aid experiencing to helping Lebanese people. All its manpower – employees and volunteers, and all its donation centres, are being mobilized for the cause, Dr AL Mazrouei noted this is in line with the tradition of the founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan AL Nahyan who has always supported Lebanon during difficult times. It is based on the solid and enduring bilateral friendly relations between the two countries. 

Refugee Movement and Its Consequences

Official statistics show that around 100,000 refugees have already entered Syria from Lebanon, and many of them were Syrians who sought asylum in Lebanon during the civil war which lasted for a decade in their home country. Of particular interest, there is evidence that in the recent period, most of these displaced people are seeking shelter in regions in northern and northwestern Syria occupied by the Syrian opposition and Turkish armed forces rather than in regime-controlled territories.

The presence of refugees is a humanitarian question and at the same time can be considered as a factor of cooperation in the region. The size of the UAE’s aid package includes funds for providing shelter, food, and medical aid for these displaced people, as well as towards the more general goals of regional stability.