Upon the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and instructions issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and follow up of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), the ERC has allocated AED 300 million to scale up its relief operations and development programmes in Yemen. Since January, the ERC has implemented humanitarian projects worth AED 79.75 million in Yemen. The main UAE relief agency has maintained a strong presence on the Yemeni humanitarian aid scene ever since the crisis erupted and has worked in multiple ways to alleviate the humanitarian sufferings of the Yemeni people. The ERC is one of the few relief agencies that remain active in Yemen despite the escalation of events and challenging circumstances on the ground. It was also among the first members of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to respond to the humanitarian situation in Yemen. In a press release it issued today, the ERC said, '' With calm and stability returning to Aden and other provinces, the ERC is on the threshold of a new phase of relief operations when it comes to Yemeni humanitarian aid scene. We have laid down an ambitious plan to deliver basic needs to the Yemeni people, including food, medicine, and water and electricity services. We have allocated an additional budget to fund these relief operations and developmental projects. We have also increased humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable and affected segments, mostly children who were reportedly suffering from acute malnutrition and stand exposed to risks and illnesses.'' The ERC has shifted its main office in Sanaa to Aden and equipped it with financial, human and logistic resources to oversee distribution of relief items, develop plans and adopt initiatives that fulfil the requirements of the Yemeni people. The Aden office will also assess the humanitarian situation on the ground and communicate with Yemeni officials to meet their needs promptly. Aden, the statement added, will be the logistical centre of the strategic relief assistance either sent by the UAE or purchased from neighbouring markets. It will also serve as the launch pad for relief operations to other provinces. The statement indicated that the ERC has so far sent five ships loaded with 7,000 tonnes of food and medical assistance as well as petroleum derivatives and aid for children. It has purchased relief assistance worth tens of thousands from neighbouring markets and transported it to Yemen.
