Big-hearted UAE is world’s top donor: Report

Abu Dhabi — The UAE spent Dh21.63 billion in foreign aid in 2013 — more than any other nation in the world. The figure was revealed on Monday during the launch of the 2013 UAE Foreign Aid report, in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; UAE ministers; and senior government officials.

“Our contribution has been predominantly towards development, helping people in the long term, eradicating poverty, establishing education systems and building sustainable life,” said Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development.

According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which records the foreign aid offered by nations around the world, the UAE rose from 0.33 per cent of the global official developmental assistance in 2012 to 1.33 per cent in 2013.

“For many nations around the world, this came as a surprise. They expected Switzerland, Luxembourg, (or) maybe Norway to come first,” said Erik Solheim, president of the Development Assistance Committee, which is affiliated to the OECD. “I came here today to thank you, on behalf of the world’s poor, and to ask you ... (to) ... please ... (not) ... stop.”

With the help of foreign aid, poverty was reduced by half in the last 20 years and malaria reduced by half in the last 10 years. Solheim expressed hope that the OECD will set a new target to eradicate absolute poverty by 2030 and that the UAE’s vision and contribution to developing nations in need will set an example for the world’s richest.

The UAE’s Dh21.63-billion contribution was disbursed via 38 donor entities in 145 countries. Of the net amount, 94.6 per cent was for development projects, and the rest divided between charitable assistance (2.9 per cent) and humanitarian aid (2.5 per cent).

Not surprisingly, countries in the Middle East and the region received the biggest chunk of the aid, especially countries affected by conflicts and political unrest. Egypt, which received Dh16.99 billion, topped the list, followed by Jordan with Dh582.93 million and Pakistan with Dh546.54 million.

The UAE also offered aid to less obvious contenders such as Europe (0.78 per cent), North America (0.01 per cent) and Australia and New Zeeland (0.01 per cent).

“Some may point the finger at the UAE for spending most on regional countries, but helping out ... those close to you (first) is normal and commendable. They are the people of your neighbourhood, with whom you have historical and cultural ties,” stressed Solheim.

Shaikha Lubna said: “When your immediate environment is in conflict, it has an impact on you, so we need to help them to avoid being affected ourselves.”

During the launch of the report, Shaikh Mohammed awarded the 38 entities that contributed to the UAE foreign aid in 2013.

Among them were 17 government ministries and authorities, which disbursed Dh17.85 billion for development, humanitarian and charity programmes in 30 countries. The largest sum came from the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance, which gave Dh16.7 billion to Egypt in the form of bilateral assistance.

Other prominent contributors were the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (Dh1.68 billion); Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (Dh776.8 million); Red Crescent Authority (Dh556.46 million); Dar Al Ber Society (Dh126.4 million); Sharjah Charity Association (Dh91.79 million); Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation (Dh77.4 million); and Al Maktoum Foundation (Dh56.36 million).

courtesy an article published in khaleejtimes

Clothes donations shouldn’t be just about clearing out, UAE charity projects head says

ABU DHABI // On the ground floor of a two-storey building in Mussaffah, about a dozen women sit at desks, closely inspecting and sorting through piles of clothes. Even the smallest stains are detected and clothes are cast aside as unsuitable.

Manal Salim, a supervisor, holds up what looks like a perfect purple T-shirt.

“No,” she says. “This looks all faded and you wouldn’t wear it.”

The shirt joins countless others in a pile.

The items that have passed the scrupulous inspections are folded, sealed in plastic, marked with the size and placed in large, labelled cabinets that fill a corner of the workspace.

In a few days, the clothes will be packed into a lorry and sent to people in need as part of the Hefz Al Nema, or saving grace, charity project administered by the Emirates Red Crescent.

“When donating, always think, ‘would I wear this?’,” says Sultan Al Shehi, the head of the charity projects department at the office of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region. “If it’s good enough for you, then it’s good enough for others. There is an etiquette to donating. The clothes should be in good condition, clean and even perfumed.”

Clothes deemed unfit to be given away are sent to factories for resale. Those that require only cleaning are sent to a laundry.

“Donation shouldn’t be about giving away what is old,” says Mr Al Shehi. “We need to change this mindset. It isn’t right. This donation goes to God before it goes to the poor.”

This culture is needed and while the UAE is “known for being one of the most charitable countries in the world, it is lacking”.

“To donate what is important to you, not what you don’t need or what is old. Yes, the poor will take it anyway because they are in need, but why don’t we be more civilised then that?”

Ms Salim calls on those in need and asks what size they wear, their favourite colours and their specific needs. “We have requests for different things, such as blankets, abayas, dresses and kanduras. We try to make sure that we send them what they want.”

On the second floor of the building there are wedding gowns and fancy dresses. The gowns are loaned to brides-to-be.

“Brides will be given a wedding dress of their choice on loan and a gift with them. They can even come here and try the dresses on,” says Ms Salim.

The gifts are usually perfumes, accessories and other dresses.

“Most of these brides are orphans, so we try to give them everything they need. Help them furnish their house and so on.”

Six wedding dresses have been sent to the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan.

Clothes to be delivered within the UAE are packaged in gold boxes that carry no signs or logos.

“It is important for us that these feel like gifts and don’t have the Red Crescent logos,” says Mr Al Shehi. “The delivery lorries also have no signs on them.”

The Emirates Red Crescent logo is only on boxes shipped abroad.

Last year 1,326 families in the UAE received these parcels, amounting to more than three tonnes of clothes.

Mr Al Shehi also plans to launch electronic donation boxes inside buildings. These will have electronic screens with awareness messages.

“We are still in the initial stages, but we hope to have these in every building. It is cleaner and offers easier access for residents.”

He says the receptacles will be sealed, and will sound an alarm when they are full.

“We will have a lorry pass by and unload them. There will also be options for different categories, such as shoes, blankets and clothes.”

The programme also sends food packages, home appliances and furniture.

Those who want to donate can call the toll-free number 800 5011, or 050 906 8204.

“Our service is door to door,” says Mr Al Shehi. “A lorry will come and pick up the donation, and then deliver it to the doors of people in need.”

courtesy an article written by Shireena Al Nowais on The National

salnuwais@thenational.ae

Dubai municipality honors Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Dubai, Feb 11: Dubai municipality honored Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the leading jewellery group with over 126 retail outlets for its outstanding support and participation in the public awareness campaign, ‘ Clean up the world 2014’. Hamza K S, manager, CSR of Malabar Gold & Diamonds received the award from engineer Saleh Abdulrahman Amiri, assistant director of General Environment & Public Health Services and engineer Abdul MajeedSaifaie, Ddrector of Waste Management Department & Head of Clean up the World team 2014.

Being a sponsor of the event, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the leading jewellery groups supported the campaign in the emirate of Dubai launched by H EEng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General, Dubai Municipality under the slogan ‘ Our Place…Our Planet...Our Responsibility’.

The event, which was aimed at creating public awareness on maintaining clean city, was held in different parts of Dubai and above 40,000 registered volunteers from different walks of life took part in it.

To support this initiative, volunteers from Malabar Gold & Diamonds joined the officials from various government departments, schools and other delegates to clean various parts of Dubai.

The official bodies of UAE give significant importance to the health and safety of the environment and run different cleaning campaigns to improve the quality of life here. It also keeps attracting millions of tourists to this magnificent country. Multinational companies like Malabar Group can play an important role to enhance the standard of living of the community and it sets a wonderful example of philanthropy that others can follow.

Speaking on this occasion, Shamlal Ahamed, managing director of International Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds said, “We believe that companies like us can bring a real difference to the society by actively getting involved in CSR activities. We encourage more companies in UAE to support such initiatives, as it is only through our combined efforts that we will be able to pass on this beautiful country for our future generation.”

Similar initiatives were taken by Malabar Gold & Diamonds in Bahrain and in India and it drew good response from the public.

CSR activities are a fundamental part of Malabar Group’s culture and the organization ensures that a fixed percentage of its net profit is used for CSR activities every year.The group supports many philanthropic activities and is always ready to take initiatives to help the deprived section in the society. The key focus areas of the CSR initiatives of Malabar Group are in the areas of Health, Education, Women Empowerment, Housing and Environment.

The company, which has a strong corporate social responsibility scheme embedded in its system, is committed to make a difference in human lives by spending over Rs300 million in charitable activities in the year 2015, part of the Rs850 million earmarked for charitable activities between 2012 - 2015.

Charity dinner in support of Emirates Red Crescent held in Dubai

DUBAI: A charity dinner event was held in Dubai recently in support of the Emirates Red Crescent and the UAE Compassion (Tarahamu) campaign, organised by Richmond Hughes Limit

ed, Gallery Ward and Nenu Tech.

The UAE Compassion (Tarahamu) campaign was launched earlier this year on the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with the patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to help Syrian refugees caught in the biting cold in the Levant this winter.

Pir Shafi Muhammad from Richmond Hughes, Yaser Askar and Maha Alsharif from the Gallery Ward welcomed the guests. Salem Bin Dasmal, Founder of the Silver Spoon Investments, was the major sponsor of the event.

Prominent personalities who graced the occasion included Misbah Ahmad, Vice President, Dun & Bradstreet South Asia Middle East Limited; Muhammad Kamal and Mr Hassan from Emirates Red Crescent; Kashif Arbab, CEO, Envestors, MENA — an affiliate of Capital Quantum; Ahmad A.Fahmy, Senior Projects Manager, Alico; Ivan Woods, Executive Director, Arqaam Capital; Shanka Abeywardene, Senior Director, Alpen Asset Advisers and Asela Abeywardene; Liv Baggen, Associate Director at Lawrie Shabibi; Pir Abdul Wahid, a prominent lawyer from Pakistan; Zafar Mahmood and Altaf Shah from the NTES Group; Jahangir Moghal, a senior immigration lawyer from Child & Child, UK; Maisoun Sharif, Muhammad Arif, Faisal Rehman from the BSI bank; Ali Walayat a senior banker, and others.

Welcoming the honourable guests, Pir Shafi Muhammad said: “It is an integral part of Richmond Hughes’ vision and mission to organise events aimed at making a positive contribution to the society and we thank Allah for all the blessings he has bestowed on us.”

The event showcased art pieces, including paintings, photographs and sculptures from the contemporary artists belonging mainly to the Middle East region. The guests and art connoisseurs were impressed with the modern trends depicted by the young and not-so young artists. They particularly evinced keen interest in the photograph ‘Dubai’ by Ayman Lotfy, the painting ‘Being’ by Irfan Gul Dahri and a bronze piece titled ‘Cat’ by Essam Darwish. 

The event was a resounding success both in terms of promoting current artists from the Arab world as well as generating proceeds to be spent on noble causes through the Tarahamu campaign and the Emirates Red Crescent.

Later, Pir Shafi Muhammad thanked all the participants and the event sponsor, Salem Bin Dasmal, for the memorable event.

The event was the first in a series of fundraising events for charity Richmond Hughes – a real estate investment company with a focus on the London property market — plans to organise in the Middle East and UK this year. Richmond Hughes hosted a similar fundraising event in London in December 2014, co-hosted by Lahd gallery. The event was attended by prominent personalities from London and funds were raised through an arts auction in support of Nishat Welfare Organisation and Caspian Arts Foundation.

The Red Crescent in Dubai has worked since its establishment to promote the spirit of solidarity and compassion among the community members, and thanks the support and assistance of the philanthropists and benefactors for its charitable programmes. It has crossed several milestones of providing services in the humanitarian field. The Emirates Red Crescent has expanded its programmes and activities to include all walks of life and various aspects of support and assistance for low-income (limited) and needy people and families.

Students Create Heroes App To Connect Cancer Patients And Survivors

 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer was the cause of 8.2 million deaths worldwide in 2012 alone.

Fairiha Khan shared her experience of losing a parent to the disease, and how having a support system is essential; her team would later enter Microsoft’s Imagine Cup competition with what she hoped was “something that will have a global impact.” This is where the Heroes app comes in, an online community platform to bring together cancer patients and survivors, and their friends and family members. The 22-year-old project manager is joined by fellow University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) students and grads: 29-year-old Abubakar Abdulbasit as back-end developer, 23-year-old Ashiqur Rahman as front-end developer and 22-year-old Artaza Aziz as back-end developer.

The app encourages positive thinking through their forums where users are reminded to be grateful and give back to society, as well as a medical updates forum. Other features also include being able to find other users based on the type of cancer or by user location, the option to add different users as emergency contacts, categories based on cognitive therapy research that help to reinforce positive behaviors, and inspiring posts that can be added to a scrapbook. To get the word out, they plan to use social media, as well as working with hospitals and medical practitioners “to introduce us to more patients- so they can test the app and help us develop it according to their needs.”

After launching in April 2014 at the Microsoft Imagine Cup competition and securing third place, three competitions later, the app has made its rounds placing second in the Microsoft Hackathon, and competing in the GITEX Student Competition. Currently in beta phase, the developers say that the competitions have helped them get feedback from both users and experts about the app, and also glean suggested app additions. The developers are still weighing options as how to monetize on Heroes, and since it currently only functions on Microsoft’s platform, their 2015 agenda is focused on getting it on multiple platforms.

courtesy an article written by PAMELLA DE LEON on  Entrepreneur Middle East