His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, announced the annual results of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives for the year 2020. The organization, which is the largest of its kind in the region in the field of charitable, humanitarian, relief, and community work, spent 1.2 billion dirhams, positively impacting the lives of 83 million people across 82 countries worldwide. Numerous initiatives, programs, projects, and campaigns managed to achieve their objectives and reach deserving groups, alleviating the suffering of millions, particularly in vulnerable and less fortunate communities, despite the unprecedented logistical and technical challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19, which disrupted service sectors in many areas, primarily education and health.
The announcement of the results was made at a special event held at the Hospitality Palace in Dubai to highlight the achievements of various initiatives and institutions under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives in 2020. His Highness chaired the board meeting, attended by various members including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Vice Chairman of the Board, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, and others.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that "the COVID-19 pandemic has proven that systematic and sustainable humanitarian work is the most capable of supporting communities and serving people in times of crises," adding that "despite the obstacles and challenges posed by COVID-19, the initiatives rose to the occasion, reaching over 83 million people in 82 countries."
He noted that "the UAE is not just a political and economic entity but a cultural and humanitarian entity, a beacon of hope in the region." He praised his team, stating, "Our personnel and volunteers, exceeding 121,000, have shown competence and capability, displaying courage and strong will in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic." He continued, "We will not turn our backs on humanity regardless of the challenges, and we will continue to plant the seeds of hope across the globe, providing support wherever needed."
Highlighting that each year of humanitarian work strengthens their resolve, he indicated that the number of partners and beneficiaries has grown, alongside their belief that humanitarian work is vital for the revival of civilization. During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed reviewed the key achievements of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives in 2020 through its 35 institutions, which implemented numerous initiatives and programs worldwide.
He specifically mentioned the logistical operations and immediate relief measures executed by the International Humanitarian City based in Dubai, coordinating with international and regional organizations to deliver medical and food assistance swiftly, positioning the UAE among the fastest responders to the pandemic's repercussions at a global level.
He highlighted the Digital School initiative, the first of its kind in the Arab world, launched in November 2020 to provide the best available education, adhering to the highest educational standards, for millions of students anywhere and at any time through smart technology applications. This initiative aimed to address the sudden shifts in education and learning patterns due to the pandemic.
Looking forward, Sheikh Mohammed mentioned the future plans of the institutions and initiatives to ensure the continuity of charitable and humanitarian work post the rapid adaptation to new conditions, anticipating a speedy recovery map for humanitarian and community work globally, thanks to innovative ideas and solutions provided by these institutions and their volunteers.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stated that "the institution confirms its role as one of the UAE's extended hands of giving across the world, and what may pose a challenge to others represents an opportunity for it to achieve more accomplishments and positively impact the quality of life and building stable communities." He pointed out that "the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives played a vital humanitarian role in 2020, utilizing its capabilities and resources to enable many organizations and entities to deliver food and medical assistance to those in need."
Furthermore, Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi indicated that "2020 was exceptional in every respect, accompanied by many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, it also saw high levels of creativity in generating hope." The total humanitarian and relief assistance provided by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives in 2020 reached 382 million dirhams, an increase of over 100 million dirhams compared to 2019, which recorded about 262 million dirhams. The number of beneficiaries from humanitarian and relief assistance doubled to reach 34.8 million people in 2020, compared to 17 million in 2019.
Key Statements:
- Sheikh Mohammed: "The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that humanitarian work is the most capable of supporting communities and serving people in times of crisis."
- "Every year that passes in our humanitarian work strengthens our resolve, with each year increasing the number of partners and beneficiaries."
- "Our personnel and volunteers have shown competence and capability, demonstrating courage and strong will in facing the COVID-19 pandemic."
- "The UAE is a cultural and humanitarian entity, a beacon of hope in the region."
Healthcare and Disease Control:
The healthcare and disease control sector recorded an expenditure of 49.6 million dirhams in 2020 across various treatment and preventive initiatives, directly benefiting 38,000 individuals. This sector includes the Al Jalila Foundation, which supports education and research in medical fields, and Noor Dubai Foundation, which aims to enhance healthcare and medical science.
Innovation and Leadership:
The Innovation and Leadership sector received significant attention, with spending amounting to 440 million dirhams, benefiting 1.3 million people. The Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation for Small and Medium Enterprises provided an integrated package of incentives worth 192 million dirhams.
Relief Initiatives:
Relief efforts reached 2.1 million people across 10 Asian and African countries, supported by over 1.1 million people through air relief convoys for several disaster-stricken countries.
Community Empowerment:
The total spending on community empowerment initiatives was approximately 79.5 million dirhams, benefiting 1.1 million individuals through various community-focused programs.
Education and Knowledge Dissemination:
Initiatives under this sector recorded expenditures of 265 million dirhams, benefiting 45.5 million people. Dubai Cares supported over 20 million people in 60 countries in 2020 alone, introducing new programs to support early childhood education, literacy, emergency education, and teacher training.
