The Emirates Red Crescent Authority (ERC) has begun implementing extensive humanitarian, health, social and educational programmes in Erbil, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Heading the ERC delegation, Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, Secretary-General of the ERC, yesterday visited Erbil. He was accompanied by UAE Consul in Erbil Rashid Al Mansouri. The delegation visited a company that manufactures prefabricated homes and agreed to purchase three units to be used as clinics for the displaced and refugees in Erbil.
Dr. Al Falahi told Emirates News Agency (WAM) that these clinics will be the first humanitarian projects to be implemented by the ERC in Erbil, adding that the clinics will be staffed by refugee physicians, nurses and technicians, who would be paid to find source of income for them.
He further stated that the ERC would provide medicines to the clinics, either from the local market or from donations by philanthropists in the UAE through Compassion Campaign "Tarahamu" launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and being followed up by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Dr. Al Falahi referred to the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, Chairman of the ERC, to step up and speed the implementation of humanitarian projects to assist the refugees and displaced persons.
Welcoming the ERC efforts, the Kurdish official told the media delegation accompanying Dr. Al Falahi that the refugee and displaced camps need schools and clinics.