UAE GLOBAL INITIATIVE HELPS 91 MILLION IN 97 COUNTRIES

▶ Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s foundation spent Dh1.1 billion on aid campaigns last year

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives spent Dh1.1 billion ($299 million) last year as it helped 91 million people in 97 countries.

The foundation helped its largest number of beneficiaries in a single year, its annual report has revealed.

Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, its initiatives benefited eight million more people than in the previous year.

It also expanded its programmes, campaigns and relief and community initiatives to an additional 15 countries – confirming its position as the largest regional system for humanitarian relief, development and community work.

During the two years of the pandemic, the foundation spent Dh2.3bn.

The figures were announced during an event at Shindagha Majlis in Dubai, where Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, led the meeting of the initiative’s board of trustees.

He said the UAE would continue on its journey of helping others.

“Our humanitarian, relief and community initiatives are continuing. We will continue our work for the sake of people,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

He said the country was proud of the many programmes and initiatives that were delivered with the help of nearly 145,000 volunteers.

“I am proud of Noor Dubai, which reached 33 million beneficiaries. I am proud of the Reading Challenge, which reached 22 million students [and] proud of Dubai Cares, Suqia UAE, our humanitarian and charity establishment, our awards, our societal, knowledge and humanitarian conferences,” he said.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and vice chairman of the board of trustees, said the achievements of the foundation, with the help of staff and volunteers “have become a symbol of the UAE’s commitment to man and humanity”.

“The Mohammed bin Rashid

Al Maktoum Global Initiatives has become a comprehensive system to empower individuals and societies, based on Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision that humanitarian work is an investment in a more stable and prosperous future for humanity,” he said.

Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the foundation’s secretary general, said it “builds today on its successes over recent years by designing and implementing excellent initiatives, enhancing its capabilities and expertise, continuing innovation in humanitarian relief and development work, and strengthening its pillars, thus enshrining the UAE’s status in this vital sector on the international level”.

At the start of Ramadan, Sheikh Mohammed launched the UAE’s One Billion Meals food campaign.

On Wednesday, he said he would donate the funds for 400 million meals to ensure the campaign hit its target.

An impressive 600 million meals had already been secured through donations.

Sheikh Mohammed signed a mural at Shindagha Majlis as a gesture of appreciation for the efforts of employees and volunteers.

He also honoured major donors and partner.

The foundation was established in 2015 as an umbrella for dozens of charity and humanitarian institutions sponsored by Sheikh Mohammed for decades.

It includes 35 organisations and institutional initiatives and hundreds of projects, programmes and campaigns.

In addition to its 571 employees, the foundation’s campaigns attracted a record 144,936 volunteers last year.