Sharjah charity's Dh5.8 million initiative rescues over 1,200 from debt

Sharjah: Sharjah Charity Association has brought relief to 1,208 people facing financial distress in the UAE during the first half of 2025, spending a total of Dh5.8 million as part of its "Relief from Hardship" program. This initiative is one of the association’s most important emergency aid projects, aimed at helping individuals caught in sudden financial trouble.

Mohammed Sulaim Al Manaei, Director of the Domestic Aid Department, explained that the program supports individuals who have final court rulings issued against them due to financial difficulties—such as unpaid rent or other overdue commitments. Many of these cases, he said, put families at risk of falling apart, and urgent action is often needed to protect them.

“We work closely with Sharjah Police and other official bodies to evaluate each case carefully from legal, financial, and social angles,” Al Manaei said. “Support is only approved by our aid committee when it’s clear that the person truly cannot meet their obligations.”

Once a case is approved, the charity coordinates with the relevant authorities to settle the debts and close the case. This process allows the person in trouble to have legal action lifted against them and return to their family and normal life.

Al Manaei highlighted that the program offers a lifeline to people and families who found themselves overwhelmed by debt—not out of fraud or bad intent, but because of unexpected hardship. “We don’t just look at the money,” he said. “We see a human being who deserves dignity and a second chance.”

He noted that the association receives hundreds of applications for this kind of support each year. Every file is reviewed thoroughly by a specialized committee that ensures fairness and transparency. Only those who truly qualify receive help.

Al Manaei said “Relief from Hardship” is more than just numbers or statistics—it changes lives. “This is what Sharjah Charity stands for,” he said. “We’re helping people stay out of jail and giving them a fresh start.

Al Manaei called on philanthropists to continue supporting this program, because it literally means saving a human being from falling behind bars, and opening a new door to life and stability.