The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has launched its annual Ramadan initiative in Yemen, bringing much-needed food assistance to vulnerable communities in Hadramaut Governorate. The "Ramadan Project" aims to distribute essential food parcels to over 5,600 individuals across the region.
This timely intervention comes as Yemen grapples with an ongoing humanitarian crisis. Years of conflict have ravaged the country's infrastructure and economy, leaving millions struggling with food insecurity. The holy month of Ramadan, a period of fasting and heightened spiritual reflection, can exacerbate these challenges for low-income families.
ERC's Ramadan Project targets a specific segment of the population most in need. The project prioritizes families with members suffering from chronic illnesses like cancer, thalassemia, and kidney failure. These families often face additional financial burdens due to medical costs, making it difficult to afford adequate food supplies during Ramadan.
The initiative also extends support to low-income households across Hadramaut. By providing essential food staples, the ERC aims to alleviate some of the pressure on these families during the holy month. The distributed Ramadan rations will include essential food items like rice, flour, cooking oil, and lentils, ensuring families have the basic provisions to prepare meals for Suhoor and Iftar, the pre-dawn and evening meals that mark the beginning and end of the daily fast.
Hamoud Rashid Al Shamsi, the ERC's Advisor for Development and International Cooperation, emphasized the project's significance within the UAE's broader humanitarian efforts in Yemen. "This initiative falls under the framework of the UAE's commitment to improving lives and alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people," Al Shamsi stated. He highlighted the project's role in promoting food security, particularly during a challenging period for the nation.
The distribution of Ramadan rations has been met with appreciation from local authorities in Hadramaut. Ahmed Bazrous, Director General of the Office of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in the Hadhramaut coast, commended the UAE and the ERC for their ongoing humanitarian efforts. He specifically acknowledged the support provided to patients and underprivileged families in the governorate.
The "Ramadan Project" serves as another example of the ERC's dedication to supporting the Yemeni people. This initiative, alongside other ongoing humanitarian and development programs, demonstrates the UAE's unwavering commitment to assisting Yemen on its path towards recovery.