Blitz Bureau
Thousands of UAE residents turned up at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City on October 12 morning to pack aid kits for those affected by the crisis in Lebanon, according to a report published in Khaleej Times Volunteers stood at over 10 stations packing various items including diapers, baby food, soap, biscuits and personal hygiene products into boxes with the phrase ‘UAE stands with Lebanon’ stamped on it. These will be shipped to Lebanon as part of emergency aid that the UAE is providing to the country.
Many brought items to contribute, which were collected at the location while others chose to make monetary contributions to registered charities at the event.
According to officials, an unexpectedly high number of volunteers turned up to support the initiative.
“The capacity of the hall is 1,000 people and that’s how many people we were expecting. But we have already had 2,500 volunteers,” said Dr Tariq Al Gurg, CEO and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Cares, as the people kept pouring in.
He said the 10,000 boxes that the volunteers packed were just part of the aid being provided to Lebanon. “We will give them tents, drinking water, food supplies and hygiene kits. Also, we will get them proper instructors to get them psychosocial support.” Indian expat Nashwa Rafeeque turned at the event with her husband and fivemonth-old son Zayed. “We have gone for previous packing events for Gaza and Pakistan,” she said. “It is something that is very close to our heart and we are happy that we are able to contribute in whatever we can. It is also an important lesson to teach our son.”
The couple were joined by Nashwa’s colleagues Lebanese expat Alain Francis, Georgian national Givi Mkhitaryan and Indonesian expat Tara Sari.
Bangladeshi expats Bulbuli, Sagor, Anni and Shapla came with a group of eight family members, including five-year-old Zainab. The group left their homes in Deira at 6am to pick up the group of volunteers and make their way to Expo City. “We wanted to do our bit to help Lebanon as we know that they are suffering,” said Sagor. “This is the only way we could help and we wanted to do it.”
Sarah, who has been living in the UAE for over 15 years, came to the event with her children and a group of friends. “We are so proud that the UAE is doing this,” she said. “This is the only way we can help our people back home.” Sarah said her husband’s family, who live in the south of Lebanon, left their homes in October last year. “His village is situated on the border and has now been completely destroyed,” she said. “That is why it was important for me to bring my children for this event and contribute in whatever way we could.”
