WAM SANAA: The first aid plane from the UAE carrying 44 tons relief food supplies for Yemeni refugees on Thursday arrived in the Yemeni capital as part of the "Sanadhum" (meaning help them) relief campaign launched by the UAE to help Yemenis counter food shortages in hunger-struck regions.

Two more aid planes are to leave for Yemen tomorrow Friday and next Saturday as part of the UAE's airlift, director of RCA's office in Sanaa Khalfan Saif Al-Kindi told WAM.

RCA, in a press release, stressed that the leadership of the UAE is extremely interested in alleviating the suffering of Yemeni brothers and improving their humanitarian conditions during the current crisis.

"The wise leadership will not spare no effort to minimize the consequences of the crisis on Yemeni brothers." it said.

RCA coordinates its Yemen relief operation with "Care by Air : A helping hand from the UAE", a UAE non-profit humanitarian relief initiative, launched by Maximus Air Cargo in 2009 in partnership with Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Airports Company to deliver at-cost transportation and logistics services to help balance the needs of humanitarian organisations.

Secretary General of Yemeni Red Crescent Fuad Al-Maakhadhi said the poorest families in Sanaa, Omran, Hijja and Al-Muhaiwet were identified and will receive food aid coupons.

UAE's Yemen operation was launched upon directives from President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoumm and orders from His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and is being followed up by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of RCA.

WAM/MMYS