ABU DHABI, 15th October, 2017 (WAM) -- The United Arab Emirates will provide urgent humanitarian aid to the victims of Hurricane Maria which hit Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, leaving scores dead and inflicting heavy damage on the Caribbean islands.

The noble move comes on directives of the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the follow-up of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent, ERC.

The aid will be delivered by the Emirates Red Crescent in response to the international calls for relief the ERC has received following the powerful hurricane which carved a destructive path through the Caribbean last week just days after Hurricane Irma plowed through the same region.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed said the UAE President’s directives come out of His Highness’ keenness to alleviate the suffering of all those in need and in emergency all over the world.

ERC will work on delivering the aid in collaboration with its partners, including other international relief agencies, to ensure immediate provision to the stricken areas.

Sheikh Hamdan reiterated that the UAE humanitarian organisation will spare no efforts to continue standing by all those in need all over the world.