TFHA01: UAE'S HAITI AID EXCEEDS USD 7 MILLION

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000202 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE PASS FOR NEA/ARP AND HAITI TASKFORCE ONE (WILLIAMS, ROSSER) USAID FOR MAURA O???NEILL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL ECON PGOV PREF HA AE SUBJECT: TFHA01: UAE'S HAITI AID EXCEEDS USD 7 MILLION REF: ABU DHABI 80 ¶1. (U) The UAE is still actively supporting humanitarian efforts in Haiti, which continue to receive prominent coverage in the local press. UAE semi-government charity organizations have relief teams on the ground to assist in the distribution of relief materials purchased from the Dominican Republic and channeled to Haiti. The UAE - primarily through charitable organizations - has donated and pledged to Haiti USD 7.18 million (26,397,650 AED) through February 9, according to the UAE Office for the Coordination of Foreign Aid (OCFA). ¶2. (U) OCFA's data and media reports provide the following summary of the UAE's efforts: -- The UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) has contributed USD 1,786,523 in relief items, medical equipment and medical personnel, in addition to USD 499,591 to launch a field hospital, USD 149,741 in financial contribution to ICRC, and pledged USD 99,918 in unspecified assistance. Over 120 sick and wounded Haitians have received treatment from the field hospital, which was inaugurated on February 6. RCA is also working with Dominican Republic officials to support 5 hospitals near the Haiti border. Local media reported that the RCA has distributed humanitarian relief to a Haitian orphanage - Aldia - which houses over 300 orphans. The Head of the RCA's delegation to Haiti, Humaid Al-Shamsi, told the press that the RCA has delivered humanitarian aid to more than 1500 families affected by the earthquake, including 45 tons of tents, blankets, food stuff and medical aid. The RCA's relief team is also working to reinforce the capability of hospitals in Santo Domingo, DR. The aim of this humanitarian operation is to provide diagnostic and therapeutic services to displaced and injured Haitians. -- Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan Foundation (KBZAF, named after the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi) has contributed USD 897,087 in relief items and medical equipment, and is launching the second phase of its relief operation with 500 tons of food, relief items and medical supplies, which is being purchased from the DR. In addition, KBZAF has pledged USD 2,601,415 in assistance. --Dubai Cares is planning to provide education assistance to approximately 200,000 Haiti children. -- The Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation for Humanitarian and Charitable Works (MBRHCW, named after the Ruler of Dubai) has contributed USD 702,423 in drinking water, food items and medical supplies. The MBRHCW's fourth humanitarian relief shipment to Haiti included 30 tons of basic food stuff. MBRHCW has sent also a delegation to supervise food distribution to the victims and to buy relief materials from neighboring markets. -- The International Humanitarian City, a humanitarian foundation based in Dubai, has contributed USD 450,245 in coordination and support services, including airlift of humanitarian cargo from Dubai to Haiti. -- Dubai Municipality, in collaboration with the Dubai Islamic and Charitable Work Department and Red Crescent, launched on February 1 a humanitarian campaign in support of Haiti. The campaign was opened to receive assistance in cash and in-kind, including fund, food, clothes, blankets and shelter materials. OLSON