GULF Daily News readers and online visitors are being urged to open their hearts and provide support for the victims of the earthquakes that devastated Syria and T\u00fcrkiye, as well as struggling local families, in our second annual holy month community initiative.<\/p>\n
Your campaigning daily news provider has teamed up with the renowned Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS), the kingdom\u2019s oldest charity, and we are appealing to YOU to donate gifts during Ramadan to our security office at The Press in East Riffa, our commercial office on Exhibitions Avenue and the BRCS headquarters, both located in Hoora.<\/p>\n
Under the hashtag #HelpThem<\/em> we need your support for the joint campaign to collect brand new:<\/p>\n \u201cOur partnership with the GDN, Bahrain\u2019s leading newspaper, will hopefully help fast-track our aim of getting much-needed aid to the people affected by the devastating earthquakes in T\u00fcrkiye and Syria,\u201d said BRCS secretary-general Mubarak Al Hadi.<\/p>\n \u201cThe focus is on collecting as many hygiene kits, blankets, clothes, shoes and toys as possible to fly over there.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are also seeking to offer support to the local community too depending on its needs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe division of aid will be balanced between the devastated countries and local charities in Bahrain \u2026 but it is all dependent on the kindness of people and public donations.\u201d<\/p>\n Last Ramadan a total of 22,222 toys were collected in our inaugural campaign, exceeding the target of 20,000. And, the GDN\u2019s chief reporter Mohammed Al A\u2019ali, joined members of Maqabah Charitable Society to hand-deliver donations to sick children.<\/p>\n The act of fasting calls for Muslims to practice self-discipline and sacrifice, as well as to reflect upon and show compassion for the poor and less fortunate. Muslims are reminded to be generous and increase their charitable activities. As a result, during Ramadan, much charitable giving is done by the community.<\/p>\n \u201cGDN Media is delighted to play a part in supporting such a caring and determined charitable organisation and help it support the victims of a horrific natural disaster get back on their feet,\u201d said managing editor Stanley Szecowka, \u201cas well as local families needing help at this time.<\/p>\n \u201cWe ask campaign supporters to #HelpThem<\/em> by dropping off their donations with our security officers and we will ensure they are passed on to the charity champions to bring joy and a message of hope over Eid and the months to come. Ramadan Kareem!\u201d<\/p>\n The February 6 earthquakes were the worst natural disaster to strike modern-day T\u00fcrkiye with more than 56,000 people killed in the country and neighbouring Syria.<\/p>\n Your generous donations will help people whose lives were destroyed in a matter of seconds and minutes and give hope that rebuilding dignity and everyday life will be possible.<\/p>\n It is estimated that some 3.3 million people were forced to flee their homes and most were now living in temporary shelters.<\/p>\n The people of Bahrain have already shown how much they care after the authorities acted swiftly to send aid. The Bahrain Defence Force, for example, has already delivered humanitarian provisions.<\/p>\n It has been flown in by the Royal Bahrain Air Force as part of the implementation of the directives of His Majesty King Hamad, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to provide support.<\/p>\n BRCS is a volunteer charity founded in 1971. It has been recognised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva since 1972, and joined the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the same year.<\/p>\n The aim of the BRCS is to achieve the following humanitarian purposes:<\/p>\n\n