DUBAI, 25 July 2006 — Ministry of Social Affairs, Dubai Media Inc. (DMI), Al-Aqariya Group, Qanat Al-Qasaba, the Emirati-Lebanese Friendship Association (ELFA) and other organizations have announced plans to send aid to the victims of Israeli bombardment of Lebanon.
Mariam Al-Roumi, UAE minister of social affairs, has appealed to all charity agencies and non-government organizations to offer financial donations and aid in kind to the UAE Red Crescent Society (RCS).
“The RCS is the only body authorized by the Council of Ministers to extend overseas aid,” Al-Roumi said yesterday.
Meanwhile, Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) announced its upcoming first-ever live fund-raising telethon as part of its ongoing effort in support of Lebanon.
The program will be aired on all DMI channels, including Dubai TV, One TV, Sama TV and the Dubai Sport Channel from 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Friday.
The one-day campaign has been organized in cooperation with Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid Al-Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Foundation and the UAE Red Crescent Society.
“The humanitarian campaign aims at supporting our brothers and sisters in Lebanon. We loved Lebanon when it was living in peace and we will support them in this period of crisis,” said Hussein Lootah, CEO of DMI.
A number of social, business, art and sports figures will participate in the telethon to be conducted at a dedicated call center set up specifically for the day.
Al-Aqariya TV and Al-Aqariya Group have established their own relief campaign.
The campaign has generated overwhelming response from individuals and organizations across the Arab world.
The campaign has to date succeeded in collecting donations worth 50 million dirhams, which include cash donations, medicines, medical equipment, foodstuff and tents, in addition to shipping services to deliver supplies to affected areas in Lebanon.
“We are pained to see the destruction and devastation that Lebanon is witnessing, and we realized that it was our responsibility to do all we can to support the country in its hour of need,” said Mohammad Saleh, president of Al-Aqariya Group.
Al-Aqariya TV has launched a new service whereby all regional and international aid agencies and official Lebanese institutions can advertise for free on the channel their campaigns related to collection of donations aimed at supporting Lebanon and its people. These organizations and institutions can send a recorded tape containing information on their services for broadcast on Al-Aqariya TV 1 and 2.
The Sharjah-based Qanat Al-Qasba will host a musical concert by Portuguese artist Glenn Perry at Al-Qasba Theater on Thursday to promote peace in Lebanon. It will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature over 50 musicians from different parts of the world. It is open for all.
The Emirati-Lebanese Friendship Association (ELFA) has also launched a massive aid effort to send supplies to Lebanon. ELFA, a non-government, non-profit humanitarian organization, has assured it will extend all possible help it can. ELFA has already issued advertisements across Dubai TV, radio and newspapers to a call for aid. At the American University of Dubai (AUD), a special donation effort is already under way.
