UAE aid worth Dhs1.8 billion helped 111 million globally in 2023, says Sheikh Mohammed

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced the annual results of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiative’s (MBRGI) Year in Review report for 2023, during which MBRGI, the largest humanitarian and aid organisation of its kind in the region, spent a total of Dhs1.8 billion on projects that positively impacted the lives of 111 million people in 105 countries around the world.

MBRGI’s success during 2023 is attributed to an increase in the number of beneficiaries that grew by 9 million people compared to 2022, as well as to an expansion in its social and aid programmes to cover 105 countries, 5 more than last year.

As a result, MBRGI has solidified its leading status as the largest regional network for humanitarian, aid, development and social work.

Sheikh Mohammed said that MBRGI has managed to reach 111 million people in 105 countries during 2023, thus contributing to the beginning of new, inspiring chapters in their lives where hope is a sustainable goal, and people have a reason to strive for a better life for them and their communities.

"Today, I witnessed the annual ceremony of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and reviewed the annual report of the foundation’s work.

Total spending during the year amounted to Dhs1.8 billion and the number of beneficiaries of the foundation’s programmes is 111 million people in 105 countries," Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X.

"The journey of goodness continues and our resolve in humanitarian work is firm. Our country will remain a beacon of goodness and giving, God willing," Sheikh Mohammed wrote.

"Every time we succeed in reaching someone in need, anywhere in the world, offering them the means and tools to fight poverty, disease or ignorance; we count this as a major win for us and for humanity as a whole.

"Our initiatives vary, from aid, education and health to empowering communities, supporting youth and creating hope. Our goal is to help regions resume their journey towards progress, while extending a helping hand to underprivileged people.

"Our journey continues so that our humanitarian projects send a message of solidarity from the UAE to the world, carrying with it the values and principles of the Emirati people,” he concluded.

The Year in Review report announcement was preceded by a meeting for MBRGI’s Board of Trustees at the Dubai Opera, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid and attended by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Crown Prince of Dubai and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of MBRGI; Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum; President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group; Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Member of the Dubai Council.

The announcement itself was made during a special ceremony held on Thursday at the Dubai Opera, attended by Sheikh Hamdan, Sheikh Maktoum, Sheikh Ahmed, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed, Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed and Sheikha Latifa.

The ceremony showcased MBRGI accomplishments for 2023 and previous years, and presented reports on the progress of this year’s Mothers’ Endowment campaign and honoured its major contributors.

Sheikh Hamdan said, "Guided by its leaders’ visions and inspired by its peoples’ nobility and generosity, the UAE will always be a global capital for humanitarian work and a role model of hope making. In the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid; hope making is the highest expression of humanity and noble values.”

"Over 8 years since its inception, MBRGI has established the culture of hope making in the region, turning humanitarian work into a sustainable institutional action and contributing to promoting an atmosphere conductive of all the noble values on which the UAE was founded. This reality shows how the UAE is keen to be in inspiring example and a positive influence in the lives of people, helping them strive for a better tomorrow,” he added.