(16 January 2024)
The 13th edition of the Ataya Charity Exhibition, which kicked off today, was launched to support the “Tarahum - for Gaza” campaign, organised by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) in the Marina Hall at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
The six-day event is being held in partnership with the Presidential Court and the Ruler’s Representative Court - Al Dhafrah Region, and is sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB).
The annual exhibition showcases various aspects of humanity as it travels to different places. This year, it features over 140 exhibitors from various nations, with a notable number of exhibitors from the UAE.
The exhibition features a range of entrepreneurs and designers who were handpicked by the Higher Committee of the Exhibition, with the guidance and support of H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Assistant Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) for Women Affairs, Chairperson of the Higher Committee of the Ataya Initiative, and wife of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the ERC.
The Ataya Charity Exhibition showcases the artworks of local and international talents and designers in many creative fields, including fashion, jewellery, home accessories, and perfumes. The exhibition also features several local restaurants and cafes.
Sheikha Shamsa stressed that the event’s current edition is being held under extraordinary conditions, as the Palestinian people in Gaza are struggling with many challenges. Therefore, Ataya’s Higher Committee combined its efforts with the Tarahum - for Gaza campaign to help those suffering from the war, reflecting the UAE’s approach to unity and humanitarian cooperation with friendly countries.
“Over the past years, the Ataya Charity Exhibition has helped solve many critical humanitarian issues in different areas, most notably health, education, social, and other services sectors,” Sheikha Shamsa said, noting that several important projects were implemented in many nations, benefitting over one million people.
She added that this approach has aligned the Ataya Initiative with the UAE’s global humanitarian mission, which it is pursuing as per the directives of its leadership, making it one of the leading contributors of humanitarian and developmental assistance in the world.
The Tarahum - for Gaza campaign, which began in October 2023, highlights the UAE’s humanitarian and relief efforts to support those suffering in the Gaza Strip and ease the humanitarian plight being endured by the Palestinian people, especially children and women.
The campaign is managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Ministry of Community Development and cooperation with the ERC and the World Food Programme (WFP), with the participation of 20 charitable and humanitarian organisations.
The campaign aims to stand in solidarity with Palestinian children and families affected by the situation in Gaza and reduce the pain suffered by vulnerable segments of the population, most notably children, who make up around half of the population of the Gaza Strip, numbering more than one million, by providing them and their mothers with essential items and medical supplies.