Dubai Cares Concludes Year Of Significant Impact With Global Humanitarian Initiatives
Dubai Cares, a UAE-based philanthropic organisation linked with the United Nations Department of Global Communications, has made significant strides since 2007. By the end of 2024, it had impacted over 116 million people across 60 developing nations. This includes those benefiting from its school-based deworming programmes. The organisation's growth in 2024 highlighted its expanding influence both locally and globally.
In 2024, Dubai Cares demonstrated its dedication to humanitarian aid through two major campaigns: "Gaza In Our Hearts" during Ramadan and a nationwide initiative called "UAE stands with Lebanon." These efforts mobilised the UAE community to provide crucial resources for families and children in Gaza and Lebanon facing severe hardships.
The "Gaza In Our Hearts" campaign raised AED15,654,829 (US$4,260,977), which facilitated the distribution of 253,984 hot meals via centralised kitchens and 37,813 food baskets to families in Gaza. Additionally, these food baskets indirectly supported the preparation of over one million hot meals for affected families.
In collaboration with the UAE government's "UAE stands with Lebanon" initiative, Dubai Cares launched a fundraising drive that successfully raised approximately AED39 million (US$10.61 million) to provide emergency aid to displaced families in Lebanon.
Dubai Cares prioritises education by supporting early childhood development, teacher training, youth skills development, and ensuring educational continuity during emergencies. It also focuses on quality primary and secondary education access, digital connectivity, and girls' empowerment.
The "Students for Students" initiative saw remarkable support from the UAE school community in 2024. Students from 14 schools creatively raised AED720,000 through various fundraising activities. This enabled Dubai Cares to supply essential school items like bags and stationery to children from low-income families.
Innovative Fundraising Campaigns
The "Taste of Giving" campaign engaged nearly 50 restaurants and F&B brands across the UAE. This unique initiative encouraged community support for education by dining out or purchasing select products from participating brands.
Dubai Cares also launched a "Back to School" edition where over 400 volunteers in Abu Dhabi packed 10,000 essential school kits for children from low-income families across the UAE.
Strategic Collaborations for Global Impact
Dubai Cares has partnered with HRE Development and The Giving Movement to support global education initiatives. HRE Development's Skyhills Astra project integrates charitable giving into homeownership by contributing from each apartment sale towards educational initiatives for underprivileged children.
The Giving Movement has raised AED5.1 million by donating AED14.7 ($4) from each sale to Dubai Cares' Gaza programme. These funds address critical relief needs in Gaza.
Sustainable Education Solutions
The organisation unveiled its "Rewiring Education: The Climate-Education Nexus" report at COP28 UAE during the RewirEd Summit. This document explores how education intersects with climate action and presents actionable solutions alongside practical recommendations for sustainable development through educational transformation.
"As we conclude another remarkable year," said Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, CEO and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Cares, "we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the UAE community for their unwavering support and dedication." He noted that Dubai Cares expanded significantly both globally and within the UAE through transformative education programmes and community engagement initiatives in 2024.
By collaborating with 143 partners on 260 programmes, Dubai Cares has implemented numerous advocacy initiatives and research programmes. By late 2024, it had disbursed AED1 billion towards these interventions while strengthening advocacy efforts through reports like "Rewiring Education: The Climate-Education Nexus."
With inputs from WAM
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