Tarahum For Gaza: Emiratis Race To Volunteer At Relief Campaign For Palestinians

Thousands of UAE residents assembled at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Sunday to help pack aid boxes for Palestinians in the impoverished Gaza Strip.

The collection is the latest in what is expected to be a series of Compassion (Tarahum) for Gaza relief campaign packing events, with details to be announced soon.

The campaign is organised by Emirates Red Crescent, the World Food Programme, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Community Development.

Tarahum For Gaza Campaign Lures In Volunteers Of All Nationalities

Rashid Al Mansouri, deputy secretary-general for local affairs at ERC, praised residents across the country who “rushed and raced to participate and donate” to the campaign.

Volunteers of all nationalities assembled on Sunday. Safwat El Gawly, 79, from Egypt and his daughter Amira were among those standing in rows, packing boxes.

“We want to do everything we can … to help the people in Gaza … This is a tragedy beyond imagination,” said Amira, who was born in the UAE.

Aid Campaign Isn’t About “Country Or Nationality Or Religion”

On the campaign’s first day on October 15, at Mina Port in Abu Dhabi, 13,000 parcels were packed. Events took place on Saturday in Dubai and Sharjah.

Between all three events this weekend, a staggering 25,000 aid boxes for Palestinian people in Gaza are believed to have been prepared.

“It isn’t about country or nationality or religion. It is about helping the people,” said Emirati Jawaher Al Menhali, 28, who said it was her second time as a volunteer to send aid to Palestine.

Israel-Hamas War Could Escalate Further, US Officials Warn

A large proportion of Gaza rely on aid. But the densely populated area of 2.4 million people has been deprived of essentials for two weeks as a brutal Israel-Hamas war enters Day 17.

On Sunday, a second convoy of 14 trucks entered Gaza, but humanitarian organisations and many of the residents said it was not enough.

Meanwhile, top US officials have raised concerns over a potential escalation, with Iran warning Washington and Israel to stop the violence or the region could “go out of control”.

Sheikh Mohamed Calls For “Cooperation” At Cairo Peace Summit

On Saturday, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan called for “an immediate end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip” while attending the Cairo Peace Summit.

Taking to X, he highlighted the “utmost protection of civilian lives, unimpeded access for humanitarian aid and an immediate end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip.”

“The international community must work together to avert further violence … as dialogue, cooperation and coexistence remain the only viable pathways to peace,” he added.