More than Dh5.5 million in aid has been donated to tsunami victims in Thailand by the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation. Medical equipment and services, in addition to relief support and healthcare materials, have all been donated by the foundation.
Ebrahim Mohammad Bu Melha, Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Department of Justice, Attorney-General and Vice-Chairman of the foundation's Board of Trustees announced the figure last week.
Supporters of charities and humanitarian organisations have also donated about Dh4 million worth of relief materials and cash to sufferers in Thailand and Indonesia, he said.
Bu Melha said a study was under way to reconstruct schools, hospitals, religious houses and homes for the needy, in cooperation with the Indonesian Ministry of Housing.
"The foundation has collected fishing boats, boat engines and fishing equipment for tsunami victims in Thailand.
"All the materials will be distributed to the sufferers in a special celebration scheduled to take place at the end of February in Thailand.
"The celebration will take place under the patronage of Thailand's authorities. About 200 families will benefit from this equipment because they work in the fishing industry," Bu Melha said.
Bu Melha said the foundation would be transporting eight highly equipped ambulances for use in remote villages.
He said these aid missions came under the directives of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister.
"Following Shaikh Mohammad's call for quick action, our rescue teams travelled to east of Asia on the second day of the disaster.
"We were the first international humanitarian foundation, along with a special rescue team from Dubai police to step into the damaged areas, north of Sumatra, the mostly affected spot.
"The first step of the work was the search and rescue of victims, and that was completed successfully," he said.
The Dubai rescue team was made up of 35 people and a number of highly trained police dogs.
The rescue teams chose to go to Indonesia, first, because it was the country most severely affected, said Bu Melha.
The foundation set up four hospitals in different areas. He said that 42 physicians and 150 nurses were running the hospitals that could offer medical treatment for 250 patients and admit about 70 patients.
The foundation's general manager, Adeeb Mohammad Bin Lootah, said donations are still pouring in.
"Schools and university students and many residents have shown a high level of interest in donating aid materials and cash.
"Humanitarian organisations, public establishments and foreign communities residing in the UAE have also made a contribution," he said.
Abdul Rahman Bin Sbeih, who headed the rescue teams, praised Dubai police for doing an excellent job.
"The Dubai team rescued a fisherman who was thrown four km from the shore. He sustained several bone fractures. He fought for his life for five days on his boat. We were able to reach him and rescue him."
Timely help
Goods dispatched to India and Sri Lanka
About 300,000 kg of relief aid has been sent to tsunami victims in India and Sri Lanka by the Humanitarian City and the International Association for Human Values.
The major items include such staple foods as rice, pulses, flour, salt, milk and water as well as clothing, tents, blankets, medicines and toiletries, according to officials from both institutions.
"The joint action by IAHV [International Association for Human Values Dubai] and DHC [The Dubai Humanitarian City] is a powerful example of how international and domestic agencies can cooperate to bring much-needed and timely relief to a suffering humanity," said Saeed Bin Suloom, DHC's chief executive.
Barbers chip in
A Satwa barber shop has raised Dh5,000 for tsunami victims in India during a fundraising campaign. Barbers Mohammad, Majeed, Pappan and Babu, who work at the shop, decided to ask customers for donations following the tragedy.
"When the devastating and horrific scenes were shown on television, my colleagues and I felt sad. I, along with my three colleagues, wondered what would have happened to us if we were there.
"The strong waves washed away thousands of lives, houses and buildings. All we could do was try to collect donations for these victims.
"We have already sent the money to the Indian Government," said Mohammad Naushad, the campaign organiser.
A gift of hope
As a gift of hope to the tsunami victims, about 7,500 balloons will be tied together to form the biggest heart in the Middle East during Valentine's Day celebrations.
On February 14, Thomas Tapken, General Manager of the Movenpick Hotel Dubai, will supervise building the biggest heart in the Middle East.
Money will be raised by selling balloons to the general public for Dh5 each, and donated to charities in the devastated areas.
Balloons sold in advance and on the day will be popped from 3pm onwards on February 14, and the lucky winners will find their prize information inside the balloon.
Employees donate day's salary
Some 450 employees of Sun and Sand Sports have donated a day's salary to help the tsunami victims. "It is just a drop in the ocean, a humble contribution, but it comes from even the lowest paid worker, voluntarily and willingly," said the Rafiq Charakla, the company's general manager.
The employee contributions will go directly to Indonesian and Sri Lankan consulates in the UAE.
