UAE's Big Heart answers aid call for Syrian refugees

The money will help support those who have been forced to flee their homes because of the civil war.

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ABU DHABI // Refugees are to benefit from a donation of more than Dh730,000 from the Big Heart Campaign for Syrian Refugee Children.

The money will help support those forced to flee their homes because of the civil war.

The Dh734,600 donation is in response to a humanitarian appeal launched by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which is trying to support a million young Syrians.

The Big Heart Campaign was launched by Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.

“We are facing one of the worst humanitarian crises due to the conflict in Syria,” Sheikha Jawaher said. “The Syrian crisis has left almost two million homeless.

“Now, with Syria’s war well into its third year, more poverty, deprivation and despair can be seen.

“One million Syrian children became homeless. We don’t know how long they will be refugees for, but we would like to reassure them that there are many who would like to extend a helping hand.”

Nearly two million Syrian refugees have fled to Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt.

Half of the refugees from the Syrian conflict are children and some 740,000 of them are under the age of 11.

“We are very grateful to Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher for launching the Big Heart Campaign for Syrian Refugee Children,” said Amin Awad, regional coordinator of UNHCR. “This campaign will surely contribute to relieving some of their pain.”

People can donate to the campaign by texting “donate” to the following numbers: Etisalat users should send the text to 2000 to donate Dh10, 2002 for Dh50, 2003 for Dh100. Du users can text 9965 to donate Dh10, 9967 for Dh50 and 9968 for Dh100.

ecleland@thenational.ae