M'sia can tap UAE'S Big Heart generosity
Published on: Sunday, July 24, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: There is an opportunity for Sabah and Malaysia to solicit aid from rich Arab nations like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the many refugees or stateless persons as shown in a film at the Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival 2016.In June 2015, Her Highness Sheikh Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Consort of the Ruler of Sharjah, launched The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF) to coincide with World Refugee Day.It followed the decision issued by Her Highness Sheikh Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi to transform what was then The Big Heart Campaign into a global humanitarian foundation.
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The move was aimed at redoubling efforts to help refugees and people in need worldwide, with the new foundation adding significantly to the UAE's rich portfolio and long record of humanitarian initiatives.Since its inception, TBHF has succeeded in meeting the needs of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refuges. It has provided life-saving medical services to over 365,000 Syrian displaced persons and given more than 400,000 others food and financial aid.In February, 2016, the foundation pledged to donate US$350,000 towards two projects run by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to help Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Iraq survive tough winter conditions.
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TBHF has contributed through its humanitarian assistance to changing the lives of thousands of refugees worldwide, due to its nature and scope of work. The foundation has reached out to Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries and Rohingya Muslims in Indonesia, as well as Palestinian refugees in Arab countries.It has worked to enable refugees to live a humanitarian and dignified life by providing a package of integrated services and aid that includes healthcare and education. It also provides financial aid to enable displaced people to meet their urgent needs and cover their essential costs of living, such as rent, food, fuel and clothing.
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Burn injuries are among the most devastating of all injuries and the fourth most common type of trauma worldwide, following traffic accidents, falls, and interpersonal violence."Research has shown that approximately 90 per cent of burns occur in low to middle income countries, countries that often lack the necessary facilities to treat such injuries," said Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of 'Salam Ya Seghar,' an initiative within TBHF.Patients in Hebron, Palestine who have suffered burns will be able to avail the highest standards of care for their injuries following an initiative from TBHF, partnering with the Welfare Association, Palestine's largest non-profit organisation, to establish and develop a dedicated burns unit at Alia Government Hospital in Hebron.Under the terms of the agreement, TBHF will help fund the specialised facility at the hospital, which is being set up to provide advanced medical services for burn injury patients in the Southern West Bank region in Palestine.TBHF's involvement sees it financing almost one third of the project's total requirement of US$983,600."Hebron is one such area where there is a pressing need for a dedicated burns unit to provide the specialist treatment that this form of injury requires. In view of this, TBHF is honoured to be able to partner with the Welfare Association to help establish a specialised burns unit for patients at the Alia Government Hospital in Hebron," she added.TBHF's funding of the Alia Government Hospital's burns unit will take place over six months and will play an important part in setting it up and establishing its services. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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