Emirates Post Group's 'Rescue Gaza' campaign targets Dhs1m

The target for cash donations is Dhs1m.

The tent's activities were inaugurated by H.E. Hassan Abdulkhaliq, Consul General of Palestine, Dubai, Mr. Abdulla Al Daboos, President of Emirates Post Group, Mr. Ahmad Tahlak, CEO EMP and representatives from UAE Red Crescent Society and Dubai Municipality.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Al Daboos said the Group will collect financial and other contributions from its staff as well customers at post offices through its subsidiary Emirates Marketing and Promotion (EMP) in association with the UAE Red Crescent Authority. Donors can drop their donations at the tent until February 10, 2009.

The tent has a section for artists to draw paintings that will be auctioned to raise money for the people of Gaza. There is also another section where children can draw paintings. The best painting will be featured on a special stamp, the proceeds of which will also go to Gaza. People can also donate blood at the tent.

Mr. Ahmed Tahlak, CEO of EMP, stressed the importance of concerted efforts to support the Palestinian brothers in Gaza: "We, at EMP, are pleased to contribute to the activation of this humanitarian campaign in support of the Palestinian people in their sad plight."

Explaining the donation raising mechanism, Mr. Tahlak said that EMP had printed coupons of Dhs5 and Dhs10 for distribution to staff who wish to donate. EMP has also set up tents in specified locations at Emirates Post offices and selected shopping malls in Dubai to collect donations in kind.

EMP is driving the initiative through an extensive media campaign and SMS shots to a large database, in addition to distributing pamphlets and posters promoting the campaign.

Mr. Tahlak said the target was to collect an amount of Dhs1m that will be used for purchasing medicines, in coordination with Julphar Pharmaceuticals. These medicines will be sent to Gaza immediately through the UAE Red Crescent Authority.

The initiative is part of the humanitarian campaign that was launched on the directions of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza.