UAE's Khalifa Foundation launches relief effort for Sudan's flood victims

The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation on Thursday launched a campaign to deliver relief to victims of the massive floods which recently swept the state of Kassala, eastern Sudan.

The move was in response to directives issued by 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, with the follow-up of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Khalifa Foundation.

Ambassador of the UAE to Sudan, Hamad Mohammed Al Jenaibi, inaugurated the campaign by delivering 35 trucks carrying 330 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the local authorities.

In a speech at the inauguration, Deputy Governor of Kassala, Khedher Al-Basheer, noted that the aid will be distributed to 50,000 people accounting for 75 per cent of those affected by the floods.

Praising the UAE for the initiative which comes as part of continuous help for the people of Sudan, the official said, "The aid is not unusual for a state that is at the forefront of delivering relief to people in need. HH Sheikh Khalifa is walking in the steps of the founding father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan."

The ambassador of the UAE, commended the excellent relations with Sudan, the role being played by Emirati humanitarian agencies and the leaders' keen interest in humanitarian action and philanthropy. He stressed that the UAE takes a great interest in helping victims of natural disasters across the world.

Deputy Chairman of the government's committee for floods, Abdullah Adam Abbas, said the convoy was the largest to enter the state recently.

On Wednesday, a plane carrying 40 tonnes of medical aid and shelters donated by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation landed at Kassala Airport.

In addition, a convoy of 22 trucks carrying 290 tonnes of food aid procured from local markets was sent by the foundation to the Gedaref state, 250 kilometres south of Kassala.

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