ABU DHABI: The Red Crescent Authority (RCA) has committed Dhs213 million as a preliminary budget for its domestic humanitarian programmes in 2013, a 45 per cent year-on-year increase.

The announcement was made at a recent meeting by RCA’s Higher Committee on Domestic Assistance.

The budget will go to programmes to sponsor orphans, provide medical aid, Ramadan rations, help for prisoners, students and the disabled, Iftar programmes, Zakat, Eid Al Adha sacrifice meat, maintaining buildings and facilities and to support educational and social institutes.

In remarks at the meeting, the Secretary General of RCA emphasised the interest of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and President of RCA in domestic assistance to needy people and families.