Big Heart Foundation gives cash grants to vulnerable refugees in Egypt

SHARJAH, 16th August, 2016 (WAM) The Big Heart Foundation, TBHF, a global humanitarian charity dedicated to helping refugees and people in need worldwide, has joined with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, to provide grants worth US$150,000 (approximately AED550,000) for families in Egypt.

The 12-month unconditional cash assistance programme targets 100 households accounting for 400 individuals, providing them with aid that enables them to pay for rent, food, clothing, healthcare and education.

The plan has been formulated to help provide for the more than 100,000 Syrian refugees in Egypt, many of whom are vulnerable women and children forced to live in extremely difficult circumstances. The UNHCR is distributing the donated funds to the designated recipients in collaboration with local partners in Egypt.

Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of 'Salam Ya Seghar,' a TBHF initiative to improve the welfare of refugee children, said, "The implementation of the cash grants programme is in line with the vision of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children and wife of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah, for the need to redouble efforts and enhance collaborative work by the UNHCR, governments and civil society to help and support refugees in host countries."

She added, "The financial aid will enable refugees to pay for their accommodation, with the need to keep a roof over their heads a priority. It will also help cover their expenses for essential living items, such as food, fuel and clothing. The ability to meet education charges will help refugee children stay in school, with the overall effect of the programme being one of restoring the dignity and improving the psychosocial well-being of the recipients."

"The outbreak of war in Syria since 2011 has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of refugees being scattered across different parts of the world, most of who are now residing in Syria's neighbouring countries. This has left many women and children without a breadwinner or a male relative to care for them, making them more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse which only adds to the ordeal they have already endured. Through this donation to the UNHCR, we are striving to help these families with unconditional cash grants in order to ease their suffering," Al Hammadi stated.

Al Hammadi noted that Egypt was bearing a huge burden with the mounting number of Syrian refugees seeking safe shelter there after fleeing the crisis in their home country.

"The Egyptian authorities have been doing their utmost to help Syrian refugees, but the situation is becoming increasingly worse for many displaced families. We must all do what we can to help these vulnerable people who are living in terrible conditions through no fault of their own," she said.

In appreciation of this donation, the Head of UNHCR Abu Dhabi, Toby Harward, said, "This kind contribution from TBHF is demonstrated evidence of the foundation's commitment to continue supporting Syrian refugees. UNHCR is deeply grateful for this generous contribution which will allow most vulnerable refugee families in Egypt to secure basic necessities."