The UAE will launch and implement more developmental and humanitarian projects during the Year of Giving 2017, as declared by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, and President of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC).

''The UAE is committed to honouring its humanitarian responsibility towards those affected by crises and disasters, and to continue its leading role to address the impacts of these catastrophes on the lives of civilian populations through packages of humanitarian, relief and developmental operations that provide them with a decent life,'' H.H. Sheikh Hamdan said on the occasion of the launch and opening of health and development projects by the ERC for Typhoon Haiyan victims in the Philippines in 2013.

''The ERC has launched an integrated post-cyclone strategy to rebuild damaged health, education and services facilities in the Philippines as a contribution to its social development. Our goal is to help the people of Philippines to build a better future through the reconstruction of its health and education sectors, as two core pillars for the development of the community,'' H.H. added.

The ERC said its reconstruction plan was based on a AED37 million pledge by the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in support of Typhoon Haiyan victims.

An ERC delegation, led by its Secretary-General, Dr. Mohammed Al Falahi, inaugurated the general hospital in the Western Samar region. Rehabilitated, reconstructed and equipped with modern medical equipment by the ERC, the facility will serve 350,000 people.

The ERC also opened a new community health clinic in Dolores, Eastern Samar, on Friday, which provides quality health services to residents of the town and nearby municipalities. The Dolores Community Health Clinic is a joint project of the ERC, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the Department of Health (DoH) and the Dolores Local Government Unit (LGU).

The ERC said the health facility would serve 124,000 people.

"This new clinic aims to build resilient communities in the Haiyan-ravaged municipalities in Eastern Samar," said PRC Chairman Richard Gordon. "Maternal and child care are two of the health services to be offered at the clinic. The new facility also aims to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health, which are two of the organisation’s Millennium Development Goals," he added.

''The ERC was among the first humanitarian responders when Typoon Haiyan struck the Southeast Asia nation,'' Al Falahi said.

''So far, we have built and rehabilitated 18 schools, accommodating 10,000 pupils. We also maintained 15 playgrounds and 12 school theatres. We provided health and services facilities with laboratories, computers, school stationary and supplies,'' he added.