Mohammad’s initiatives lead to Dh1.83b aid

YEMEN, ETHIOPIA, SUDAN, PALESTINE AND MALI ARE FIVE BIGGEST RECIPIENTS

Contributions of the initiatives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in the field of development, humanitarian and charity work abroad amounted to Dh1.83 billion during the past 10 years.

According to a report by the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development marking the 10th anniversary of Shaikh Mohammad’s accession, initiatives by Shaikh Mohammad from 2006 to 2015 covered 11 sectors and spanned 73 countries. The report points out that these initiatives contributed to the UAE topping the list of the most generous countries in 2013 and 2014.

The largest share of these contributions was in the field of humanitarian and charitable work during emergencies, amounting to Dh596.9 million and accounting for 33 per cent of the total value of contributions. The contributions were provided through various organisations in the country, and particularly by International Humanitarian City, which became a global hub for humanitarian aid.

Quality primary education

The second largest share was allocated to the education sector, with contributions valued at Dh589.8 million, accounting for 32 per cent of the aid, which was provided primarily by Dubai Cares, which was launched by Shaikh Mohammad in September 2007 with the aim of improving children’s access to quality primary education in developing countries.

Dubai Cares aid benefitted more than 14 million people in 41 developing countries, schools and classrooms being built and pupils being provided with meals and sources of clean water. Dubai Cares also trained teachers and organised disease prevention measures.

The third sector that benefitted most from Shaikh Mohammad’s initiatives was healthcare, which received Dh264 million in contributions; Dh208.7 million was provided by Noor Dubai Foundation, which was set up by Shaikh Mohammad in 2008 to treat cases of blindness and visual impairment. The foundation was able to reach more than six million people in 18 countries in Asia and Africa.

Other contributions included Dh150.5 million in humanitarian aid for the water sector, manifested in the launch of UAE Suqia initiative in June 2014 with the aim of providing clean water to five million needy people. The initiative was later transformed into the UAE Water Aid Foundation.

The report also highlights the growing role of organisations that operate under the leadership of Shaikh Mohammad. The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment provided Dh278.3 million in aid from 2006 to 2010.

The five biggest recipients got 29.4 per cent of total aid, valued at Dh539.2 million. They were: Yemen (Dh146.3 million), Ethiopia (Dh126.9 million), Sudan (Dh118.5 million), Palestine (Dh86.2 million) and Mali (Dh61.4 million).