DUBAI // A UAE aircraft carrying nearly 100 tonnes of emergency aid was scheduled to leave Dubai International Airport this morning, headed for Ethiopia.
The aid is for the victims of a drought in the Horn of Africa that the United Nations says is killing hundreds of people every day. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian & Charity Establishment, which is organising the effort, said the supplies include 28 tonnes of flour, 21 tonnes of rice, 30 tonnes of sugar and 14 tonnes of dates.
Under the directive of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, another plane left yesterday for Djibouti carrying 84 tonnes of relief materials. That included 53 tonnes of food, 15 tonnes of emergency tents and 15 tonnes of carpet and mats.
Ibrahim Boumelha, who is heading the establishment's delegation and boarded yesterday's plane, said the supplies would be enough for about 150,000 people around southern Djibouti. He said the delegation would also provide various nutrients to famine-hit areas around the Somali-Ethiopia border.
Mr Boumelha said victims were already suffering the pain of displacement. "The campaign comes in the context of the foundation's efforts to provide all possible assistance to those affected in the Horn of Africa," he said.
During an earlier mission, the establishment distributed more than 900 tonnes of food items.
The UAE Red Crescent Authority, has also began relief efforts after a mandate by Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE.
