Amid the ongoing efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has expanded the scope of its Ramadan program to mitigate the health, economic and social repercussions of the pandemic. The decision has been taken on the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the ERC.

With the latest development, the ERC’s Ramadan program will be benefitting around 1,771,321 people, which includes 1.2 million people in the UAE and 571,312 people in other countries across the world.

Speaking over the development, Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, Secretary-General of the ERC, asserted that the ERC’s programs are going to get more comprehensive and widespread this year, under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan given the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coinciding with the current health conditions, this year’s Ramadan campaign is aimed at encouraging communication with philanthropists and members of the community, Al Falani underlined. He added that the campaign seeks to increase the areas of partnerships with all sectors in order to support the ERC’s local efforts and enlarge the scope of beneficiaries.

He further thanked the sponsors of the campaign, most notably the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), and Etisalat.

The ERC announced the launch of its Holy Month of Ramadan campaign during a recent press conference held via video conference in the presence of all sponsors. Themed at "Be the Change," the campaign aims to provide support and assistance to target sections of society in both the UAE and abroad.

During the press conference, Salem Al Ameri, Deputy Secretary-General for Local Affairs at the ERC, spoke about the local and international Ramadan programs of the ERC, asserting that they are in accordance with the precautionary measures initiated by the country to curb the spread of Coronavirus, such as maintaining social distancing and avoiding gatherings.

He explained that in order to replace the Ramadan tents, ERC will be distributing Ramadan meals in 112 locations across the country, along with the distribution of food packets to beneficiaries at their doorstep. This aid will benefit 600,000 workers, 81,600 vulnerable families and elderly people, 140,000 frontline medical workers, and thousands of families affected by the pandemic as well as foreign communities in the process.

He further added that 150,000 people will benefit from Ramadan meals that will be distributed across 26 locations in Abu Dhabi, 20 locations in Al Dhafra, 19 locations in Al Ain, 47 locations in the Northern Emirates. The ERC will also be distributing Eid clothes to 14,666 people as part of the campaign.

Speaking about the ERC’s Ramadan programs abroad, Fahad Abdulrahman bin Sultan, Deputy Secretary-General for Development and International Cooperation, said that around 406,625 people in different countries will benefit from the ERC’s Ramadan Iftar programs along with 146,602 people benefitting from Zakat Al-Fitr programs, and 18,085 people from the Eid clothes programs.

WAM