Emirates pledges Dh50m and full support for humanitarian effort

Dubai: More than Dh428 million has been raised for the Dubai Cares initiative to put 1 million children through primary school, with a massive Dh50 million donation pledged yesterday by Emirates.

In a statement, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, pledged the airline's 'full support' for the campaign and said that the donation would "highlight the humanitarian face of both Dubai and the airline."

"[His Highness] Shaikh Mohammad [Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai] has a tremendous vision for Dubai. Over the years he has led Dubai in launching many ground-breaking initiatives spanning economic and social concerns," he said.

Meanwhile, more than 150 schools have registered online for Dubai Cares for Schools, coordinated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai (KHDA).

The campaign will run for three weeks, with students involved in fund raising activities.

Registered schools will receive school-kits for each student by the end of the week, including a 20-leaf voucher book, containing Dh20 vouchers and other background information about the initiative and education in developing countries.

Every school has assigned a 'school champion' who will manage the campaign activities and act as the contact person for KHDA.

The last day of fund-raising for the Dubai Cares school campaign is October 18 and funds will be collected from the schools by the National Bank of Dubai from October 21.