Dubai: The Mohammad Bin Rashid Global Initiatives (MBRGI) made a total investment of over Dh1.5 billion in 2016 on various humanitarian and developmental initiatives and projects, which touched the lives of 42 million people in 62 countries around the world.
This was announced as part of the 2016 annual results of the MBRGI by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the initiative, chaired by him.
The MBRGI invested some Dh252 million in the humanitarian aid and relief sector, benefiting 22.6 million people; Dh224 million was dedicated to health care and disease control, with 10 million beneficiaries; Dh590 million was invested in spreading education and knowledge, touching the lives 9.3 million people; Dh377 million was devoted to innovation and entrepreneurship; and Dh79 million was invested in empowering communities.
Shaikh Mohammed said, “Day after day, successive developments in humanitarian work confirm the urgent need for a large philanthropic framework that integrates resources and mobilises humanitarian, charitable and development work that aims to help those in need face today’s challenges.”
He continued, “We are dedicated to serving humanity and standing by those in need wherever they may be; we believe that our value lies in improving the lives of others, regardless of their colour, gender, religion, or sect.
“Today, as we look back on our accomplishments in 2016, we feel a sense of pride in the difference that our humanitarian, charitable and community-based organisations have made to the lives of millions of people around the world; we share our numbers in hopes that others may be inspired to join us in our mission to serve communities in need. I call on all our institutions to continue instilling goodness and hope, on behalf of the UAE, in every part of the world, and to be proactive in bringing about positive change and working to build a better future for all of humanity.”
For his part, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Vice-Chairman of MBRGI, said, “MBRGI approaches humanitarian and development work in various fields in a comprehensive and integrated way that reflects the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad to harness our resources in order to improve the lives of others. Some of the ways in which MBRGI accomplishes this include providing basic needs such as food and water, promoting tolerance, optimism and solidarity, embracing youth, supporting innovation, motivating creators, and exploring the future and the industry of hope.”
Shaikh Hamdan continued, “These initiatives hold a special place in Shaikh Mohammad’s heart. Every day, he teaches us the value of people and the importance of working to advance humanity, to invest in communities and to believe in the value of hope to grow nations. This is MBRGI’s vision — to spread hope, make a positive difference in people’s lives and build a better future for everyone.”
Five sectors
The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives foundation was inaugurated on October 4, 2015. It embodies the vision of Shaikh Mohammad to improve the Arab world through humanitarian, developmental and community work. The initiatives comprise five sectors that are essential for improving human life: humanitarian and relief aid, health care and disease control, spreading education and knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship, and empowering communities.
The MBRGI seeks to achieve integration and coordination among the humanitarian, developmental and social initiatives that Shaikh Mohammad has sponsored and launched over the past years. Its aim is to maximise their impact, increase their ambition, and unite their goals and visions to meet the growing challenges faced by the Middle East and the world.
The MBRGI’s programmes share a common drive to create hope in the Arab world and beyond. The MBRGI supports more than 130 million people in 116 countries around the world, and encompasses 33 institutions and initiatives that operate more than 1,400 development programmes. The foundation works in collaboration with more than 280 strategic partners ranging from governmental institutions and private sector companies to regional and international organisations.
MBRGI development aid
- Dh252 million for humanitarian aid and relief sector, benefiting 22.6 million people
- Dh224 million for health care and disease control, with 10 million beneficiaries
- Dh590 million for spreading education and knowledge, touching lives of 9.3 million people
- Dh377 million for innovation and entrepreneurship
- Dh79 million for empowering communities
