Emirates Red Crescent launches Ramadan Continuous Giving Campaign to support needy families

The UAE has announced the start of Ramadan 2024. State-run Emirates News Agency has confirmed March 11 as the beginning of the holy month across the country. The committee in charge of sighting the crescent in the UAE has congratulated the Emirati leadership.

On Sunday, the Emirates Red Crescent launched a massive Dh37.6 million Ramadan campaign to alleviate the sufferings of needy families in the UAE and 44 countries across Asia, Europe and South America, reported The National.

Details on Emirates Red Crescent’s Ramadan campaign

The Ramadan Continuous Giving Campaign seeks to support 1.8 million people, offering Eid clothing, Ramadan food parcels and Iftar meals. The ERC is also set to launch women-only Ramadan and Iftar tents, to be located across Dubai, Ajman and Abu Dhabi.

The campaign is aimed at addressing suffering, improving life and preserving human dignity, besides combating poverty, hunger and diseases. There will be 321 donation collection sites in all emirates and located in malls, prominent markets and densely populated spots.

Citizens and residents can still offer their assistance through the Emirates Red Crescent’s donation centres, website, apps, bank deposits, text messages, cash donation boxes and different in-person donation collection locations, added The National.

ERC bolstering Ramadan programmes in Gaza

ERC’s Secretary General Rashid Mubarak Al Mansouri said the humanitarian organisation is keen to expand its Ramadan programmes in a number of countries for people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, such as the besieged Gaza Strip.

Gaza is embroiled in a brutal months-long fighting between Israel and Hamas militants. The violence erupted on October 7 as Hamas launched an attack on Israeli cities, killing some 1,200 people. Israel’s retaliatory strikes have claimed over 31,000 lives to date.

The humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave is exacerbating each passing day. Scores of people are struggling to access basic necessities. Al Mansouri said the ERC has put in efforts to bolster its Ramadan programmes in Gaza to provide 10,000 Iftar meals to Palestinians.

Other preparations in UAE as Ramadan 2024 arrives

The prominent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the UAE capital has also completed its preparations to welcome thousands of visitors during the holy month. It has cleaned and sterilised carpets in the halls and courtyard to ensure the safety of worshippers.

In addition, the mosque is also reported to have provided more than 70 electric cars to transport people from car parks to prayer halls, with the elderly and disabled to be priorised, in addition to about 50,000 breakfast meals for workers.

The holy month of Ramadan is observed by more than 1.8 billion Muslims. It is believed to be the month when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. Fasting during the time is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all people in good health.