Today marks the 1st Emirati Humanitarian Work Day, a special occasion created to honor the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan as an Arab and world humanitarian leader.
The UAE has always been a strong supporter of humanitarian efforts both within the country and abroad. The current “Dress 1 Million Needy Children” campaign by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum which concludes on Ramadan 19 is an incredible example of this support. Although extraordinary, the support that this campaign has received from individuals and the private and public sector organizations, reaching its target within 10 days, is not uncommon in the UAE. Another example of UAE-led developmental efforts is Dubai Cares’ “End Poverty. Educate Now.” 2013 Ramadan campaign, which runs throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan to spread awareness of the importance of education and aims to raise funds for improving children’s access to education in developing countries.
Commenting on the occasion, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares said: “On behalf of Dubai Cares, I would like to pay respects to the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and also extend my good wishes to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the rulers of the other Emirates, and the people of the UAE.
“In September 2007, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched Dubai Cares to provide children in developing countries with access to quality primary education, based on his firm belief in education as one of the most effective tools to break the cycle of poverty. Hence, on this historic day, I would like to renew our commitment and promise to put forth our best efforts to achieve the vision of His Highness and continue to contribute to the philanthropic efforts of the UAE both locally and globally.”
As part of its mandate, Dubai Cares works in developing countries with chronic deficiencies in primary education, hand in hand with local and international partners to implement integrated development programs that target the underlying causes preventing children from accessing quality primary education. Currently, Dubai Cares is reaching over 8 million children in 31 developing countries across the world.