MBRGI And UNHCR Healthcare Collaboration Strengthens Global Access To Medical Services

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives has confirmed that part of the Fathers’ Endowment campaign proceeds will fund United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees healthcare projects worldwide. The support targets refugees, displaced people and host communities, and is tied to a wider cooperation framework between the two organisations that started in 2021 and is now being expanded.

The commitment draws on the Fathers’ Endowment campaign, launched on 21st February 2025 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The initiative honours fathers in the UAE by creating a sustainable endowment dedicated to healthcare for low-income families and vulnerable groups in multiple countries.

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MBRGI stated the new support during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, held from 19th to 23rd January under the theme ‘A Spirit of Dialogue’. The announcement came at the UAE Pavilion during the 56th edition of the World Economic Forum 2026, underscoring the link between humanitarian cooperation and global economic discussions.

At the UAE Pavilion, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Member of the Board of Trustees of MBRGI, met Dr. Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Discussions covered future cooperation, ways to coordinate humanitarian responses more closely, and methods to build on the joint results delivered since the partnership began in 2021.

The meeting also included senior UAE officials. Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary General of MBRGI, and Saeed Al Eter, CEO of MBRGI, attended the talks. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid then witnessed the signing of a partnership agreement between MBRGI and UNHCR, signed by Mohammad Al Gergawi and Dr. Barham Salih.

MBRGI explained that this agreement is aligned with directives from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to sustain support for disadvantaged communities. The organisation described its cooperation with UNHCR as part of the UAE’s wider humanitarian approach, which aims to reach vulnerable populations and seek sustainable answers to ongoing global crises.

MBRGI UNHCR healthcare support guided by stated humanitarian vision

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid highlighted the intention behind the new pledge. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid added, "This pledge aligns with MBRGI’s vision to deliver a lasting humanitarian impact by supporting programmes that provide essential needs and healthcare to underserved populations. Such efforts help uphold their dignity as well as empower them to build a safer, more stable future."

Mohammad Al Gergawi linked the initiative directly to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Al Gergawi underlined that supporting UNHCR’s healthcare projects forms part of backing international efforts that seek to reduce refugee hardship and help secure access to better living standards and integrated health services.

MBRGI UNHCR healthcare projects deepen long-running partnership

Al Gergawi stressed that the current contribution builds on an established collaboration. Al Gergawi said, "MBRGI’s latest collaboration with UNHCR builds upon a longstanding partnership established in 2021, which has already transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of refugees, displaced persons and members of host communities. This contribution reaffirms MBRGI’s unwavering commitment to its humanitarian mission to support underprivileged populations. By leveraging our resources and expertise, MBRGI continues to uphold its founding ideals, particularly fostering hope and ensuring people’s right to a life of dignity."

Dr. Barham Salih welcomed the continued cooperation and described it as strategic for refugee assistance. Dr. Salih noted that MBRGI contributions in recent years allowed UNHCR to implement health and livelihood programmes that saved lives, protected human dignity and helped people maintain access to essential services, including medical care and income-generating opportunities.

Dr. Salih also pointed to growing global displacement and rising pressure on humanitarian budgets. According to Dr. Salih, this context requires UNHCR to emphasise results and operational efficiency, with responsibility shared between international partners and host countries. Dr. Salih described MBRGI as a global example of principled humanitarian work, where leadership and philanthropy are translated into direct support for highly vulnerable communities.

MBRGI UNHCR healthcare funding linked to wider institutional portfolio

The partnership with UNHCR, active since 2021, positions MBRGI as a key funding contributor for several UNHCR programmes. These programmes range from emergency response to longer-term projects that strengthen health systems serving refugees and neighbouring host communities in multiple regions.

The scale of the Fathers’ Endowment campaign provides additional resources for this cooperation. The campaign raised more than AED3.7 billion before the end of Ramadan, enabling MBRGI to increase its health interventions for low-income groups. Funds are channelled through structured endowment mechanisms designed to ensure long-term continuity of healthcare support.

MBRGI’s broader humanitarian portfolio has grown significantly since its establishment in 2015. Over that period, the foundation has spent more than AED13.8 billion on aid and relief initiatives, reaching about 788 million people in 118 countries. Activities are grouped under five pillars: Humanitarian Aid & Relief, Healthcare & Disease Control, Spreading Education & Knowledge, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Empowering Communities.

The Healthcare & Disease Control pillar, which includes the Fathers’ Endowment campaign, is described by MBRGI as a primary operational focus. Under this pillar, MBRGI works on major health challenges, including infectious diseases and regional epidemics, while providing essential medical services that aim to reduce suffering in underserved and crisis-affected areas.

MBRGI reported that spending within the Healthcare & Disease Control pillar exceeded AED210 million in 2024. These funds supported programmes that reached more than 6.5 million people worldwide. Healthcare activities include treatment, preventive services, public health campaigns and support for medical infrastructure in locations experiencing displacement or weak health systems.

Key quantitative indicators related to MBRGI’s work are summarised below.

MBRGI brings together over 30 initiatives and institutions under one umbrella. Through this structure, the organisation seeks to address major global challenges and invest in human capital by spreading education, tackling poverty and disease, and promoting values of tolerance, with the overarching objective of empowering vulnerable communities.

The latest pledge to UNHCR healthcare projects reflects this broader mandate and the UAE’s stated humanitarian approach. By directing part of the Fathers’ Endowment proceeds to refugee healthcare, MBRGI reinforces an existing partnership, expands access to essential services for displaced populations, and continues a funding strategy that combines long-term endowments with targeted programme support.

With inputs from WAM