Abu Dhabi University (ADU) on Sunday launched a new initiative, titled "For Sudan", with the aim of providing relief support to Sudanese families affected by the heavy floods in the country. The ADU has launched the initiative in collaboration with the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), Lulu Group International and PepsiCo. It aims to collect monetary and in-kind donations from those who are willing to offer their support to the Sudanese families. All donations collected from the initiative will be sent to Sudan to assist the families to overcome the crisis.

As per a WAM report, ADU will be allowing members of the community on its main campus from 09:00 to 20:00 where they can participate and offer their donations to the "For Sudan" initiative. The ADU and the ERC will be working in collaboration to collect all offerings in the donation boxes.

The initiative was launched on September 20 in the presence of Mohammed Amin Abdullah Al-Karib, the Sudanese Ambassador to the UAE, ERC representatives, Hadeel Anwar, Sudanese champion of the Arab Reading Challenge in 2019, and ADU Chancellor Professor Waqar Ahmad. Along with them, Salem Mubarak Al Dhaheri, ADU’s Executive Director of Community Relations and select members of the ADU’s community who are volunteering with the frontline workers were also in attendance during the event.

Addressing the launch event, Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of Community Relations at ADU, said that the initiative is in line with the social responsibility of the University to support all communities in need of aid.

"We look forward to collaborating closely with the ERC on this impactful initiative that aims to alleviate the suffering the Sudanese people have endured. This initiative is also in line with our social responsibility to support not only local communities but also regional communities in need of aid, where possible," he said.

Rashid Mubarak Al Mansouri, Deputy Secretary-General of Local Affairs at the ERC, also noted that the initiative is a part of the UAE’s humanitarian efforts that aim to contain the impact of the heavy floods in Sudan on the people and to stand with the nation to overcome the crisis.

Al Mansouri also stated that initiative will boost the ERC response to support those families affected by the floods. It further helps in expanding the umbrella of beneficiaries of the ERC relief programme that is currently under implementation across various areas of Sudan.

In addition, Ashraf Ali, Executive Director of Lulu Group, said that charity and CSR have always been an important pillar of the organisation, adding that they are proud to work closely with ADU and the Red Crescent for the noble initiative.

"We would like to thank the ADU for allowing us to participate in this initiative, through which we aspire to make a difference and lend a helping hand to those in need," he added.

WAM