'Filipinos trust the UAE' campaign sweeps across the borders

Tens of thousands of Filipinos living in the UAE are joining a Facebook campaign in which they post their pictures designed with the words, "Filipinos trust the UAE."

The design shows the flags of the UAE and the Philippines side by side, as a symbol that shows the solidarity of two countries and its residents.

The campaign aims to express Filipinos’ confidence in the UAE Government’s efforts to eliminate the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

It also signifies both countries’ earnest support for one another in their efforts to curb the spread of the disease.

The campaign has reached out to 168,976 people and has garnered 31,852 engagements.

"Within just hours after the launch, Filipinos have virtually come together in an unprecedented number to spell out their trust in this nation’s leaders by placing a unique Facebook sticker on their respective profile photos," said Dr. Karen Remo, CEO and Managing Director of New Perspective Media Group and Publisher of The Filipino Times, which started the campaign on April 30.

"In just three days [until 3rd May], the campaign has recorded 168,976 reach and has garnered 31,852 engagements," she told WAM on Sunday evening.

This act of compassion has tugged at the heartstring of every Filipino living and working in the UAE as well as their families in the Philippines, Remo said.

"It aims to unite their message of deep faith and thanks to the UAE," she stressed.

A Filipino Times report on the campaign highlighted a recent statement of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in which he told residents to feel and take the UAE as their second home. He had reassured the nation that with patience, "this COVID-19 crisis will pass."

The report emphasised that the UAE has proven repeatedly that it is the safest country in the world, and the massive number of coronavirus testing in the country has proved it.

In addition to leading the world in fighting the coronavirus, the UAE has also championed inclusive acts of kindness and humanitarian support that transcend nationality, religions and borders, the Filipino Times said.

The newspaper also lauded UAE’s help to other countries around the world including the Philippines through providing medical supplies.

The country has recently dispatched seven tonnes of medical supplies to the Philippines.

The UAE sent an aid plane containing seven metric tons of medical supplies to the Philippines to bolster the country’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The aid will assist approximately 7,000 medical professionals as they work to contain the virus.

Commenting on the aid delivery, Hamad Saeed Hamad Obaid Alzaabi, UAE Ambassador to the Philippines, said: "Through the provision of critical medical aid, the UAE affirms its commitment to offering a helping hand to the Philippines. Our two countries share a deep partnership between our governments and peoples, and it is our sincere hope that such assistance enables the Philippines to take the necessary action to defend itself against COVID-19."

WAM