ERC leads international coalition to provide humanitarian aid in Mali

BAMAKO, 22nd February, 2016 (WAM) -- The Emirates Red Crescent, ERC, is leading an international coalition with a number of UN organisations and specialised agencies to support the humanitarian situation and promote necessary services for refugees and displaced people in the Republic of Mali. The ERC and these organisations plan to implement a number of health, education, service, and food programmes to support displaced persons and refugees in north Mali, who are facing a difficult humanitarian situation. The efforts are part of the UAE's developmental plans in Africa in various fields. An ERC delegation, headed by Fahd Abdul Rahman bin Sultan, ERC Deputy Secretary-General, has visited Mali to review the progress of projects funded by the organisation being implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, and the World Food Programme, WFP, in coordination with the Mali Red Cross. The delegation held a series of meetings with tribal leaders and tribal elders who were introduced to ERC's efforts there and to learn of their vital requirements. ERC officials also met with their humanitarian partners on ground to coordinate more programmes and relief operations for those affected. One of the organisation's health projects, in coordination with UNICEF, will provide healthcare and welfare to children and their mothers by supporting medical treatment, care for children under five, the severely malnourished, and pregnant and lactating mothers. The project is expected to benefit around 345,600 children and 80,000 pregnant women. It will also provide vaccinations against diphtheria, whooping cough, chronic flu, tetanus, hepatitis, and measles to 95 percent of children in the area. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates-international-aid/1395291856299.html