83 million people worldwide benefit from MBRGI’s AED1.2 billion humanitarian and social projects in 2020
More than 83 million people in 82 countries benefited from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives’ (MBRGI) humanitarian and social projects in 2020, the foundation’s annual report has revealed.
Amid the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020, MBRGI, the region’s largest philanthropic foundation, carried out AED1.2 billion worth of humanitarian, social and developmental projects to aid the vulnerable and empower disadvantaged communities in the face of the biggest health crisis of the century.
“We will continue creating hope across the world, regardless of any circumstances.”
“Our projects and initiatives rose to the challenge and, in line with our expectations and ambitions, touched over 83 million lives in 82 countries.”
Mohammed bin Rashid.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the Year in Review 2020 in a special event, held at The Union House in Dubai, to highlight the far-reaching influence of MBRGI’s initiatives and activities during 2020.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “the global COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that strategic and sustainable humanitarian work is the best way to serve people in times of crisis.”
He added, “despite the obstacles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our projects and initiatives rose to the challenge and, in line with our expectations and ambitions, touched over 83 million lives in 82 countries.”
“Besides its influential economic and political role, the UAE is also a humanitarian entity and a beacon of hope in the region.”
Praising the team’s efforts, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “Over 121,000 volunteers and personnel showed competence, courage and determination in the face of the pandemic.” He stressed that “we will continue creating hope across the world, regardless of any circumstances. We will heed the call of humanity wherever it takes us.”
He concluded, “As we continue our work every year, our determination to fulfil our vision grows stronger. We attract more partners and serve more people, and our conviction that humanitarian work is essential to reigniting civilisation burns brighter.”
COVID-19 Response
During the event, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum reviewed the key achievements of MBRGI’s 35 entities in 2020. He also reviewed the latest campaigns, programmes and initiatives that were launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He praised the pivotal role played by the International Humanitarian City (IHC) in Dubai as a hub for transporting urgent aid, medical supplies and essential food items to various parts of the world in collaboration with UN agencies and non-governmental organizations. Through its efforts, the IHC helped place the UAE at the forefront of urgent relief work during the first waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also reviewed The Digital School initiative – a first-of-its-kind educational technology (ed-tech) in the Arab world. The School was launched by MBRGI in November 2020 to provide millions of students around the world with access to world-class education, using smart technologies to address the global educational disruption caused by COVID-19.
On the sidelines, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired a meeting of MBRGI’s Board of Trustees that included His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of MBRGI; His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation and Member of the Board of Trustees of MBRGI; Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Member of the Board of Trustees of MBRGI; His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, and His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-General of MBRGI, as well as a number of members of the Board of Trustees and executive directors of MBRGI.
Honoring Major Donors to ‘100 Million Meals’
During the event, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honored major contributors and donors to the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign, the region’s biggest food drive, launched to provide food aid to disadvantaged communities in 30 countries across the four continents of the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe and South America during the holy month of Ramadan.
The key contributors, recognized for their pioneering role in supporting the campaign to achieve its goals of raising AED100 million in just 10 days from its launch, were Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment (MBRCH), Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai (RTA), Dar Al Bar Society, Al Rostamani Group, Emirates Islamic Bank, Etisalat, Emirates Auctions, and Dr. Abdulkader Al Sankari and his sons.
Effective Humanitarian Impact
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of MBRGI, said, “the MBRGI extended a helping hand from the UAE to the rest of the world. Its ongoing efforts have affirmed that what others may see as a challenge, the Foundation sees as an opportunity to achieve more, improve people’s lives and build stable societies.”
He added, “MBRGI played an effective humanitarian role globally in 2020. It dedicated its resources, expertise and capabilities to enable international organisations and agencies to deliver food and medical aid to the vulnerable, no matter where they are.”
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed stressed that “MBRGI’s programmes and projects are key drivers to the broader humanitarian and relief work of the UAE on regional and international scales.”
He praised the efforts of MBRGI’s teams and volunteers whose innovative ideas during the first weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak contributed to the Foundation’s swift response to help millions in need across the world, despite the world lockdowns and field restrictions.
Sustaining Hope
His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-General of MBRGI, said, “The year 2020 was exceptional by all standards in the major challenges that emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In return, it was met with a wave of innovation in creating hope, which is the only investment with guaranteed returns.”
He added, “despite the precautionary measures and the abrupt shifts in the nature of humanitarian work, MBRGI cemented its pioneering role in creating new bridges between nations, establishing solidarity, supporting vulnerable communities and aiding millions of people in need across the world.”
Al Gergawi noted that MBRGI is a major pillar of the UAE’s humanitarian, relief, social and humanitarian work, following the country’s vision to institutionalize philanthropy.
He said, “The UAE, under the direction and guidance of its leadership, will continue its pivotal role in charity and humanitarian work to help provide relief to the vulnerable, empower people in need and answer the call of humanity.”
Year in Review 2020
- MBRGI’s humanitarian, social and developmental initiatives touched 83 million lives in 82 countries in 2020.
- AED1.2 billion spent on humanitarian, social and developmental projects in 2020.
- Spending on Humanitarian Aid & Relief projects totaled AED382 million in 2020, an AED120 million increase from 2019.
- Beneficiaries of MBRGI’s Humanitarian Aid & Relief doubled in 2020, reaching 34.8 million people, up from 17 million people in 2019.
- Spending on Healthcare & Disease Control programmes totaled AED49.6 million during 2020, benefitting over 38,000 people.
- Spending on Spreading Education and Knowledge initiatives amounted to AED265 million, touching 45.5 million lives in 2020.
- The Innovation and Entrepreneurship pillar saw 2020 spending on various initiatives and projects reach AED440 million, impacting 1.3 million beneficiaries.
- Empowering Communities projects and initiatives reached AED79.5 million during 2020, benefitting 1.1 million people.
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