Residents of Barangay Poblacion in Medellin, Cebu have received 2,000 food and hygiene kits from the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of a major humanitarian effort to assist communities devastated by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu Province earlier this month.
Each relief pack contained five kilos of rice, sachets of milk and coffee, canned goods, biscuits, sugar, and hygiene essentials such as soap, alcohol, and bottled water.
The distribution in Medellin marks the start of a large-scale relief operation spearheaded by the UAE Embassy in Manila in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7. A total of 40,000 kits were officially turned over by the UAE Government to the DSWD through its Donation Management Cluster.
The relief efforts are being carried out in Medellin, San Remigio, Tabogon, and Bogo City—the four areas identified as the most severely affected by the powerful tremor that damaged homes, infrastructure, and displaced thousands of families.
Leading the UAE delegation during the turnover were Mr. Sultan Alhtabahi, Consul of the UAE Embassy in Manila; Mr. Karim Elayek, Head of Logistics; and Ms. Sophia Asiddao, Public Relations Officer.
In its earlier statement, the UAE government said the donation was part of its ongoing commitment to provide emergency assistance to disaster-stricken communities worldwide. The UAE Aid Agency emphasized that the initiative reflects the country’s humanitarian vision of standing in solidarity with nations during crises, ensuring that families in need receive life-saving aid.
The UAE’s relief support, facilitated through close coordination with Philippine authorities, is expected to reach over 40,000 families in the coming days—offering crucial help as they recover from one of the strongest earthquakes to hit Cebu in recent years.
