Money will be spent 'to maximise effect'

Dubai: Officials have said the money raised by Dubai Cares will be carefully spent to maximise its impact on improving the lives of children.

They have also said the initiative - which raised Dh3.48 billion or nearly $1 billion - looks set to exceed its target of helping one million children.

Chris Tight, a Senior Consultant who is helping to run the campaign, said announcements of where the money is being spent would only be made once projects had been fully studied to ensure funds were not wasted.

"We are the stewards of the money from the donors of Dubai. We want to make sure they are kept in the loop so they know it's transparent, accountable and impactful. We want to make impact with every donation," she said.

Tight said officials were looking at a number of proposals where Dubai Cares money could be spent and were in the process of "evaluating partner organisations". "We will make announcements when we're ready and when we're sure it's a good investment."

Tight said the Dubai Cares campaign had been "so personal" to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and his children.

"They looked at various countries and we are evaluating those, but we are also looking at many others, at anywhere where we can make a significant impact," she said.