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