Sheikh Sultan Calls for Global Aid to Gaza Refugees

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Humanitarian Envoy of The Big Heart Foundation shared an important message about helping Palestinians, especially those in the Gaza Strip, during a growing humanitarian crisis. He said that to make a real difference, people need to come together and focus on long-term projects in areas like healthcare, education, and food security. These projects are needed to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian people. His Highness urged individuals and organizations to support these efforts, as they are a vital responsibility to help those who have been displaced, hurt, or are in need.

These comments were made during His Highness’s visit to the Marka refugee camp in Jordan, which is home to over 70,000 Palestinian refugees. He was accompanied by a group from the Emirate of Sharjah, including officials and representatives from The Big Heart Foundation, UAE government bodies, and private sector organizations. The visit's goal was to learn from successful humanitarian projects, especially in health, education, and food security, and to gather both people and money to carry out similar efforts in Gaza and other countries hosting Palestinian refugees.

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His Highness pointed out that the suffering of the Palestinian people is unimaginable and that supporting them is the very least we can do. He emphasized that the UAE, both at the leadership level and among the people, has always supported the Palestinian cause. He also praised Jordan for its long-standing humanitarian work, having hosted over four million Palestinian and Arab refugees, providing them with a dignified life despite many challenges.

He noted that the Palestinian people have been displaced for decades, and now, people in Gaza are going through one of the worst humanitarian crises due to ongoing conflict. This has destroyed their social systems and services, leaving them without access to basic rights like education, healthcare, and other public services. Therefore, The Big Heart Foundation’s efforts are not just about emergency aid but also about creating sustainable solutions in healthcare and education. He stressed that good healthcare helps communities grow, and education can protect future generations from the lasting effects of war, even if the situation improves later.

His Highness called this crisis a critical test for the whole humanitarian world. He said those who care about humanitarian work must step up and help. Despite the enormous challenges, he made it clear that the mission to help must continue, supported by dedicated people and organizations around the world. He added that humanitarian work is not just a moral responsibility but also a religious and basic human duty for those in need.

This visit is part of the ongoing “For the Children of Olives” campaign, which was started last Ramadan by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation. This campaign aims to support over 20,000 orphans in Gaza by providing them with education, healthcare, psychological help, food, and shelter.
During the visit, His Highness went to the Marka Girls Preparatory School, which is run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He met with officials like UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Natalie Boucly, UNRWA Jordan Field Director Olaf Becker, and Engineer Rafiq Kharfan, who is the Director-General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs in Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They talked about how to improve cooperation and partnerships to support humanitarian projects for Palestinians in Gaza and Jordan, particularly in the fields of education, health, and community welfare.

His Highness toured several classrooms, talked with teachers and students, and learned about the learning environment. He also discussed the future needs of the camp, visited science labs, and checked out other facilities that help enhance the education experience for students.

In addition, His Highness met with students from the "Student Parliament" at the Marka Camp. The students gave a detailed presentation about their education process, the challenges they face, and the things they need to improve their education to keep up with new advancements in various fields.

Next, His Highness visited a food security project run by ANERA, a humanitarian organization that helps refugees and people affected by conflict in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. He learned about the project’s method of turning aid into long-term food production in refugee communities. Through farming programs that use greenhouses, communities can grow their food year-round. This approach matches The Big Heart Foundation's goal of creating sustainable solutions in Gaza, as it promotes independence and reduces the need for outside aid. Food shortages are one of the most serious problems during conflicts and disasters, and this project aims to address that issue.

His Highness saw the farming techniques used in the project and learned about the crops that are grown using methods that save water and protect the soil, all while ensuring a steady food supply for affected communities.

After this, His Highness and the delegation visited the Taawun Foundation, which is a partner in The Big Heart Foundation’s “For the Children of Olives” campaign. They had a meeting to talk about the current humanitarian situation for Palestinian refugees in Jordan and displaced people in Gaza and the West Bank. They also discussed how to respond quickly to provide basic living needs and improve services in the future.

During the visit, His Highness and the team watched videos from Gaza, showing the suffering of the people who are deprived of basic human rights.
In a speech, Dr. Nabil Qaddumi, Chairman of the Taawun Foundation’s Board of Trustees, welcomed His Highness and his team. He praised The Big Heart Foundation’s work and the successful partnership with Taawun in helping Palestinian refugees.

The Taawun Foundation also presented the "Noor Programme for Orphan Care," which aims to support orphaned children in Gaza. More than 39,000 children in Gaza have lost their parents due to the conflict. His Highness and the delegation also heard updates from staff based in Gaza and Egypt.

The visit concluded with a meeting where His Highness and the delegation discussed the outcomes of their visits and looked at the best humanitarian programs in Jordan’s refugee camps. They also explored how to adapt these programs to help refugees in Palestine.

The Sharjah delegation with His Highness included senior leaders like Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Sheikh Sultan bin Saud Al Qasimi, Major General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer, and several other officials and representatives from The Big Heart Foundation and private sector companies.

The Big Heart Foundation is one of the leading humanitarian organizations worldwide. It continues to provide support to Palestinian families in the West Bank, Gaza, and refugee camps, helping them live with dignity through a wide range of development projects in important areas such as healthcare, education, and food security.