PH Ambassador to Abu Dhabi Thanks Emirates Red Crescent for the Help to Taal Victims

Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Hjayceelyn M. Quintana (fourth from left, in black outfit) and Secretary-General of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) Dr. Muhammad Atiq Al-Falahi (fifth from left), discuss ways by which ERC can become an important conduit for UAE residents, including Filipinos, to send donations and assistance to the Philippines at times of natural disasters. (Photo courtesy of Emirates Red Crescent)

ABU DHABI 22 January 2020 — Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Hjayceelyn M. Quintana met with Secretary-General of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) Dr. Muhammad Atiq Al-Falahi and its officials at the Emirates Red Crescent Headquarters in Abu Dhabi on 20 January 2020.

During the meeting, Ambassador Quintana conveyed her gratitude for the kind message of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on 19 January 2020, in social media, expressing solidarity and support for Filipinos in the wake of the eruption of the Taal Volcano.

Ambassador Quintana thanked Dr. Al-Falahi and the whole UAE for their readiness to provide assistance to all the victims and for the continued support to the citizens of the Philippines, especially during this situation. “Our Emirati brothers and sisters and ERC have always been there for us during difficult times” Ambassador Quintana said, recalling how the ERC has given assistance to the Philippines in the past when natural calamities strike, including Typhoon Haiyan.

Dr. Al-Falahi said that he would like Filipinos in UAE to know that, “We are one family, and that Emiratis are here to extend help to their families back home while they are here residing in UAE.” To this end, Ambassador Quintana and Dr. Al-Falahi agreed to continue working together so that Filipinos and Emiratis alike can contribute and donate, in-kind and financially, to those affected by the Taal Volcano eruption using the facilities of ERC. ERC has developed strong partnerships in the Philippines from its previous humanitarian projects in the country.

Ambassador Quintana said that in the Embassy’s view, the coordination with the ERC is an excellent way for UAE residents, including Filipinos, to have an established, safe and secure channel for the assistance they wish to send to the Philippines. END

For more information, visit https://www.abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinUAE/.