Abu Dhabi, Aug 12 - The Red Crescent Authority (RCA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Wednesday announced several humanitarian programmes for the upcoming Islamic holy month of Ramadan, WAM news agency reported.

The Ramadan seasonal charity campaign, which included iftar meal, Eid ul-Fitr clothing and Zakat ul-Fitr, was launched at a press conference here. It will cover the UAE and other 60 Arab and Muslim countries.

Around 21.5 million UAE dirhams (around $5.85 million) is earmarked for the local Ramadan humanitarian operations while overseas programmes will receive 8 million UAE dirhams (about $2.17 million), said RCA chairman Ahmed Humaid Al Mazrouei, who was present at the launching ceremony.

The charity drive seeks to reach out to the largest number of beneficiaries, Al Mazrouei said and appealed to individuals and firms to contribute to these programmes to enable the RCA deliver its humanitarian duty.

The campaign hopes to raise more than 116 million UAE dirhams (about $31.5 million) to fund these charitable works.

The programme targets orphans, widows, underprivileged and needy families in nearly 60 Arab and Muslim countries.