The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) on global and domestic aid has been increased from AED 1.5 billion in 2016 to AED 1.8 billion in 2017.

This report was launched at an iftar that was held at the Dubai Opera by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The event was also attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the board of trustees of MBRGI and staff representing the 33 entities and initiatives under MBRGI.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE noted in a statement, “I am proud of my humanitarian team. Over 500 employees in the service of humanity and 90,000 volunteers help us in our journey of giving in over 60 countries. We encourage all of the humanitarian institutions under the umbrella of our initiatives to strive to excel in their work.”

Further adding on, “We have the resources, the will, the management, and no excuse for not being the first in humanitarian aid. Over the past 20 years, we have embraced many initiatives and projects in which we seek to make a qualitative difference in people’s lives and communities. We invest in the business of aiding humanity, the business of hope and in creating a better life for millions of people.”

He also goes on to say, “In this, we are continuing Zayed’s approach to giving. We dedicate the best of the UAE to all humanity, without distinction between race, colour or creed. We believe that our real values lie in changing the lives of people for the better. The more we give, the more God gives us tenderness, comfort, safety and security.”

There were about 90,000 people who had volunteered in 2017 to implement the various programmes, initiatives and entities of MBRGI, thereby supporting all of the 543 permanent employees of the foundation.

On this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan concluded stating, “This Year in Review report represents the achievement of Shaikh Mohammad’s vision to make hope a real and sustainable business. The MBRGI is a translation of Shaikh Mohammad’s vision to advance humanitarian, relief and community work locally, regionally and internationally. Dozens of the initiatives and programmes sponsored by His Highness within the past 20 years have transformed into established entities, which work to institutionalize philanthropic work. This formalization of organized giving ensures its sustainability, maximizes its positive impact and expands its benefits while surpassing the concept of occasional charity work to instill hope as the fundamental basis in the way we think and plan for the future.”