June 12, 2009 (WAM) -- The Pakistani community in the UAE has come forward and offered financial donations in support of the Red Crescent Authority's relief operations which target Pakistanis affected by current events at the Swat Valley. A cheque of the amount was handed to Acting RCA Secretary General Saleh Al Mualla by Shehzad Tahir, Community Welfare Attache, Pakistani Embassy in the presence of top RCA officials and Khan Zaman Al Ibrahimi, representative of the Pakistani Community in the UAE. Tahir praised the RCA's humanitarian role in relieving internal displaced persons (IDPs) at Swat Valley under instructions of President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

''The UAE has been among the first aid providers to reach out to the affected people so as to meet their needs.This gesture is no alien to the leadership and people of the UAE who stand beside the Pakistani people in all times,''he added. He said the RCA's prompt response to the situation in Pakistan had proven that it is up to the humanitarian challenge and responsibility. ''The donation is an expression of solidarity by the Pakistani community here with the IDPs who are experiencing very difficult circumstances. It also enhances the RCA's mission in the Pakistani humanitarian front,''he said. For his part, Al Mualla paid tribute to the Pakistani community for their initative which would boost the agency's capacity to deliver better care to the IDPs and save their human dignity.

He said a high-level RCA team had made a ten-day visit to Pakistan during which they oversaw delivery of assistance to the IDPs. ''The RCA's relief programmes on the Pakistani scene will continue in coordination with the Pakistani Red Crescent and other UN relief agencies,''he affirmed.