The contributors were led by the patron of the Foundation General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, who offered Dh30 million to the campaign titled: Our People in Iraq.
This was announced yesterday by Ibrahim Bu Melha, Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Justice Department, Attorney General and Vice Chairman of the Foundation.
"As an organisation devoted to the task of delivering humanitarian aid at crisis points, the Foundation is committed to doing all it can to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people.
"In today's digital age, it is befitting that we have moved to rendering humanitarian assistance electronically through the e-Contribution.
"It is an ingenious way of sending financial aid to the destitute, without having to go to a charity office to make the payment. We are pleased that Dubai e-Government has placed its highly advanced electronic payment system for the service of the Iraqi people.
"Donations can be made online through credit cards or by bank checques or transfers addressed to the Foundation. The campaign will continue for one month. But if the war, God forbid, lasts longer, it will be extended accordingly."
Bu Melha said relief materials including food, clothes, tents, blankets and medicines will be purchased from the local markets in Iraq and handed over to charity organisations operating there to pass on to the Iraqis.
"We decided to stock them in the mosques as we do not expect them to be hit and they are also easily accessed by the people."
Bu Melha added the Foundation has drawn up an action plan to deliver aid through charities in Iraq, with whom the Foundation is already cooperating.
Bu Melha told Gulf News that the moment refugees start to flee the Foundation will start setting up tents. "We will probably set up tents in northern Iraq in Dohuk or Arbil to house these refugees, as we did in Afghanistan.
"The Foundation has also set up an operations room in their headquarters to accept donations. The special donation collection centres allocated in Al Rashidiya Grand Mosque, Al Hamriya Central Souq, Union Cooperative in Safa area and the Foundation's headquarters in Port Saeed saw many people donating whatever they could.
"As the unfortunate events develop, aid may change and the Foundation may ship assistance through Umm Qasr port. The first aid shipment will be delivered by the week-end, if not hopefully earlier. Whoever wants to donate in kind may contact the Foundation for arrangement."
Salem Al Shair, Director, e-Services, Dubai e-Government, said: "E-Contribution is Dubai e-Government's response to a humanitarian crisis unfolding in Iraq. Dubai e-Government takes gratification in offering its state-of-the-art portal to raise funds for a very worthy cause through an innovative channel.
"The Dubai e-Government has created a special link opii.dubai.ae to enable people to contribute to the humanitarian aid. People can also donate by visiting the portal www.dubai.ae which provides a link to e-Contribution.
"The leading edge technologies of our portal ensure quick transfer of funds through a fully secure payment gateway."
The public can donate either through the special donation collection centres or via the Foundation's bank accounts. The accounts are: Dubai Islamic Bank (A/C No. 8570000) and National Bank of Dubai (A/C No. 0151511105).
Quelle: Gulf News
