The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation on Wednesday sent emergency relief to Yemenis on the cyclone-struck Socotra Island affected by cyclone Chapala.

An official source in the foundation said that the emergency relief came in response to instructions from the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the follow up of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, emanating from the wise leadership's policy of providing assistance to Yemeni brothers at all times.

The aid plane arrived in Socotra carrying 33 tonnes of blankets and tents and 27 tonnes of food supplies and other relief items to be distributed to those suffering shortages due to the powerful cyclone, an official source at the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation said.

Saeed Salem Bahgaibah, Governor of Socotra, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the UAE leadership and the Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation, and praised the efforts of the UAE leadership in providing assistance and standing beside the people of Socotra in such difficult circumstances. He stressed that the UAE's humanitarian efforts embody the meaning of cohesion and inter-linkages between the two countries and the two brotherly people.

Since the beginning of the Yemeni crisis, the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has sent 15 planes carrying 585 tonnes of emergency relief and three ships carrying 10,000 tonnes of emergency food aid, medicines and medical supplies, in line with the instructions from the UAE leaders.