A Gift of Warmth: The Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endowment Brings Winter Relief to Gaza

Ten thousand carefully prepared winter kits, assembled by students and volunteers at Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities, represent the UAE's unwavering commitment to alleviating suffering across the region.

On the grounds of Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities, a quiet but purposeful endeavour unfolded as students and community volunteers came together to pack ten thousand winter kits, each containing seventy thousand items of clothing and heating supplies destined for the Gaza Strip. The initiative, known as “Winter Clothing” and undertaken as part of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, embodies a philosophy of shared responsibility and human compassion that has become central to the UAE’s humanitarian identity.

The Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endowment’s contribution targets one million beneficiaries in Gaza, offering practical solace against the harsh winter months ahead. Hamoud Al Afari, Director of UAE Relief Operations under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, observed that this collaborative effort between young people, educational institutions and humanitarian organisations reflects a deeper commitment to supporting those in need. The packing of these kits by university students and volunteers transformed abstract generosity into tangible action, each carefully prepared package carrying both material comfort and a message of solidarity.

The scale of the UAE’s humanitarian engagement in Gaza reflects an extraordinary dedication to principled relief work. To date, more than 131,000 tonnes of aid has been delivered to the Strip, valued at US$4.16 billion and representing 46 per cent of all aid provided to the region globally. This sustained effort continues the UAE’s longstanding approach to meeting the essential needs of affected communities, reaffirming its commitment to assisting the Palestinian people through both immediate relief and longer term support.

Al Afari expressed gratitude to all organisations involved in these efforts, acknowledging the breadth of collaboration required to deliver aid at this scale and with this consistency. The winter kits programme demonstrates how institutional resources, volunteer energy and principled leadership align to address human vulnerability.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

For Abu Dhabi and the broader Emirates, this initiative underscores the role that the nation’s young people and educational institutions play in advancing humanitarian values. The participation of students at Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities connects academic life to practical compassion, instilling in a new generation the responsibility to contribute to relief efforts and community support across borders.

The endowment’s work reflects Abu Dhabi’s established position as a significant actor in global humanitarian assistance, demonstrating how strategic resources and institutional commitment can be mobilised to address urgent human need. The scale of the UAE’s contribution to Gaza relief—nearly half of all aid delivered to the region—positions the nation as a leader in principled, sustained engagement with vulnerable populations.

Source: UAE News Agency (WAM)