United Arab Emirates Volunteers Travel to Sea Bright to Aid Sandy Relief Work

Fifteen volunteers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are visiting Monmouth County this week. They have partnered with local Habitat for Humanity volunteers to help rebuild the Morris family’s Sandy-impacted Sea Bright, NJ home devastated by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The frame of the future new home for the Morris family was recently built in the middle of Times Square, NYC as a part of Hammers for Habitat, a national program sponsored by Lowe’s.  The home was disassembled and transported to NJ to be reconstructed by volunteers on the Morris family’s property located on Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright.

“Since Sandy, there has been an outpouring of support around the world. We are thrilled to welcome our friends from the UAE as we continue to work together to rebuild the lives of those in our community,” stated Nancy Doran, board president Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County. “We cannot say enough about the generosity of the people of the UAE, to finally work hand in hand is an incredible opportunity and we are so fortunate,” she added.

UAE volunteers have traveled to the United States as part of a program of Takatof, an organization that provides United Arab Emirates young people meaningful opportunities to volunteer for important social causes. Takatof volunteers are ambassadors of the UAE representing a culture of support and the strength of core values. Takatof particularly offers young people meaningful opportunities to volunteer for humanitarian, social and community programs embracing a commitment to social responsibility and public service, an adherence to strict integrity and ethics and community involvement.

"The entire world was touched by the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy. Given the scope of this disaster, we felt it was important to provide assistance," UAE Ambassador to the United States, Yousef Al Otaiba, said. “The UAE is honored to lend its assistance in rebuilding these great communities.  Since the storm, we have witnessed New Jersey's courage and determination as its citizens worked tirelessly to restore their homes and schools.  So, it is no surprise to see our Emirates Foundation volunteers lined up to come over and lend a hand."

 The Takatof trip comes almost a year after the United Arab Emirates provided nearly $10 million in support to aid in Superstorm Sandy Relief efforts in New Jersey and New York. In July 2013, the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates announced a generous donation of $4.5 million to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund (HSNJRF) on behalf of the people of the UAE. The donation was used to support the rebuilding and repair of technological infrastructure at 30 public schools in nine districts throughout New Jersey including technological equipment, wiring for high-speed internet as well as mobile computing devices for the school and students to use. A portion of the donation will provide educational training for teachers and students to ensure the new high-speed internet capability and mobile devices are used optimally to get the best return from an educational perspective. Overall, the gift by the UAE will benefit approximately 20,000 students. In addition to New Jersey, the UAE Embassy has also promised New York Governor Andrew Cuomo $5 million to help rebuild impacted Hurricane Sandy towns in New York.