How to donate or ask for financial help legally in the UAE

Dubai: If you are in need of financial support, or looking to do some good by donating to a worthy cause, it is important to note that charitable activities are regulated in the Emirates. While begging is considered a criminal activity, charitable organisations across the UAE can be contacted whether you are in need of help, or looking to offer some. Here is all you need to know about donating or asking for financial help in the UAE.

Donating and raising funds

Donating and receiving charity – whether through financial support, or in kind – is regulated in the UAE to ensure those genuinely in need of help are able to get it and the goodwill of the community members is not exploited by malicious operators.

In the UAE, to raise funds for a cause, you would need to obtain the approval of General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments at the national level or Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai. After obtaining the approval, the initiative must be in co-operation with licensed charity associations.

The UAE has also banned calling for, promoting and collecting donations through online channels, without first obtaining proper licensing from the competent authorities, as per Article 27 of the Federal Law No. 5 of 2012 on Combatting Cybercrimes.

If you wish to donate clothes, shoes or other items, you can do so by depositing them in the charity boxes located across the UAE in public places and residential areas.

To donate money, community members have various options:

- At kiosks and stands located in shopping centres and malls.

- Through online payment – charitable organisations as well as government apps like DubaiNow offer users the option to donate any amount of money to causes of their choice.

Financial sponsorship to the needy

You can provide financial sponsorship through Emirates Red Crescent Authority to:

- Poor families

- People of determination

- Orphans

- Needy students.

- Prisoner care and support – As per Federal Law No. 2 of 2001, Ministry of Community Development provides monthly assistance to the families of prisoners. You can contribute to the care and rehabilitation of prisoners and their families.

Begging is not allowed

The UAE’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) regularly runs anti-begging campaigns, especially during the month of Ramadan, when, according to the Ministry, there is an influx of people arriving in the country as part of an elaborate bid to raise funds.

The 'Fight Begging' campaign is initiated by MOI to combat this phenomenon, and raise security awareness in the community.

By regulating charitable activities, authorities aim to fight begging and help those who deserve charity.

MOI urges community members to report beggars through the following channels:

Abu Dhabi on 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)

Dubai on 800243

Sharjah on 065632222

Ras Al Khaimah on 072053372

Ajman on 067401616

Umm Al Quwain on 999

Fujairah on 092051100 or 092224411

Who can I reach out to?

Whether you are looking to get financial support or hoping to help a family or individual in need, these are the government entities responsible for social, charitable and humanitarian work within and outside the UAE:

Ministry of Community Development

Call: 800623

Email: society@mocd.gov.ae

Website: www.mocd.gov.ae

Zakat Fund

Call: 800 8222

Email: zakatfund@zakatfund.gov.ae

Website: www.zakatfund.gov.ae

National Rehabilitation Centre

Call: 800 2252

Email: info@nrc.ae

Website: www.nrc.ae

Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD)

Call: 800 600

Email: mail@iacad.gov.ae

Website: www.iacad.gov.ae

Community and Development Authority

Call: 800 2121

Email: info@cda.gov.ae

Website: www.cda.gov.ae

Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an

Call: 02 777 5555

Email: info@maan.gov.ae

Charitable organisations in the UAE:

Emirates Charity portal

Donate online: www.ecp.ae

Call: 800 600

Email: ecp@iacad.gov.ae

Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation

Call: 02 885 5555

Email: info@khalifafoundation.ae

Website: www.khalifafoundation.ae

The Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation

You can request for education, health or general help by visiting the website: www.zayedchf.gov.ae

You would need to provide your mobile number to create an account before you are able to apply for an assistance request.

Call: 02 657 7577

Email: ZayedCHF@zayed.org.ae

Emirates Red Crescent Authority

Call: 800 733

Email: hilal@rcuae.ae

Website: www.rcuae.ae

You can donate online, by visiting the website and selecting a charitable cause.

Al Maktoum Foundation

You can request for aid or provide support through the website: almaktoumfd.ae

Call: 04 398 8668

Email: hamdanfd@eim.ae

Dubai Cares

You can donate for various causes through the website: www.dubaicares.ae/supports-us/donate/

Call: 04 450 4550

Website: www.dubaicares.ae

Noor Dubai

Call: 800 633

Email: contact@noordubai.ae

Website: www.noordubai.ae

Dar Al Ber Society

Call: 800 79

Whatsapp: 052 6155550

Website: www.daralber.ae

Beit Al Khair Society

Call: 800 22554

Email: info@beitalkhair.org

Website: beitalkhair.org

Emirates Foundation

Call: 800-SHABAB (742222)

Email: information@emiratesfoundation.ae

Website: www.emiratesfoundation.ae

Sharjah Charity International

Call: 800 14

Email: info@shjc.sharjah.ae

Website: www.shjc.sharjah.ae

Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services

Call: 06 567 1117, 06 566 0667

Email: Info@schs.ae

Website: www.schs.ae/en

Human Appeal International

Call: 800 5 666

You can also donate through the website: www.ico.org.ae/ae/

Fujairah Welfare Association

Call: 800 8844

Email: info@fujcharity.ae

Website: www.fujcharity.ae

Al Ihsan Charity Association

Call: 800 16

Whatsapp: 056 992 1000

Website: www.alihsan.ae

Al Rahma for Charity, Ras Al Khaimah

Call: 07 2352499

Email: info@rahmah.ae

UAE Water Foundation (Suqia)

Call: 04 601 9999

Email: info@suqia.ae

Website: www.suqia.ae

Volunteers.ae

Call: 800-VOLAE (86523)

Email: info@volunteers.ae

Website: www.volunteers.ae

Ewa’a Shelters for Women and Children

Call: 800 SAVE (7283)

Email: ewaa@shwc.ae

Website: www.shwc.ae

Dubai Foundation for Women and Children

Call: 04 606 0300

Email: help@dfwac.ae

Website: https://www.dfwac.ae/