UAE Aid

The UAE Illuminates the Path of Hope with Ramadan Initiatives Alleviating Suffering Worldwide

On the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, the UAE launched a series of global initiatives and campaigns, embodying the nation's unwavering commitment to promoting the values of compassion, tolerance, and giving.

These initiatives and campaigns, which extend across all continents and are distinguished by their innovative ideas and methods, solidify the UAE's position as a beacon of goodness and humanity, and reaffirm its leadership in providing aid and assistance to those in need, wherever they may be.

Continuing his annual tradition with the arrival of the holy month, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, launched the "11.5: The Limit of Life" campaign to save five million children from hunger worldwide.

This campaign is an extension of his vision, which has made combating global hunger a top priority and a central focus of the many humanitarian initiatives and projects he sponsors.

The campaign focuses specifically on children facing the most severe forms of hunger in the most vulnerable communities, particularly in disaster, crisis, and conflict zones, where five children under the age of five die every minute due to malnutrition and hunger. All segments of UAE society, individuals and institutions alike, are participating in the campaign.

For its part, the Emirates Red Crescent announced that more than 1.5 million people within the UAE and in 44 countries around the world are benefiting from its Ramadan programs this year. These programs include Ramadan food baskets, iftar meals, breaking the fast, Zakat al-Fitr (charity given at the end of Ramadan), and Eid clothing, at an estimated cost exceeding AED 60 million. This initiative is part of the organization's ongoing efforts to alleviate the impact of humanitarian crises in several countries.

The Gaza Strip and the Palestinian people were a central focus of Emirati aid initiatives during Ramadan. On February 12, the humanitarian aid ship "Mother of the Emirates" set sail for Gaza, carrying over 7,300 tons of diverse aid, including food, shelter materials, and medical supplies. This aid will contribute to supporting food security and bolstering the urgent humanitarian response to the needs of affected families in the Gaza Strip.

In a related development, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, directed the launch of a humanitarian air bridge to aid the Gaza Strip, coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan. This initiative is part of "Operation Noble Knight 3," aimed at supporting the Palestinian people and alleviating their suffering under the current circumstances.

The air bridge will be dedicated to transporting various relief supplies, including food parcels, hygiene products, and necessities for children and women, in addition to other urgent basic needs. This will contribute to supporting affected families and meeting their living requirements during the holy month.

The UAE, through Operation Noble Knight 3, continues to send humanitarian aid convoys to the Gaza Strip as part of its ongoing relief efforts to support the Palestinian people and alleviate their suffering.

Operation Noble Knight 3 emphasized that the continued delivery of aid convoys during Ramadan embodies the UAE's unwavering commitment to giving and humanitarian work, and its dedication to delivering relief and medical assistance regularly. This contributes to meeting the urgent needs of families and enhancing healthcare services provided to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The Big Heart Foundation also announced the launch of the second edition of its Ramadan campaign, "For the Children of the Olive Tree," which this year aims to support Palestinian children with amputations in the Gaza Strip. More than 1,000 children are registered and awaiting prosthetic limbs and specialized rehabilitation services.

The campaign aims to provide a comprehensive healthcare and rehabilitation pathway, encompassing not only the provision of custom-made prosthetics but also rehabilitation therapy and psychosocial support.

A delegation from the International Charity Foundation arrived in Mauritania to inspect and implement 90 charitable projects benefiting impoverished villages and the most vulnerable groups.

Among the most prominent projects are the maintenance and furnishing of mosques, preparing them to receive worshippers during Ramadan, as well as well drilling and village iftar projects, which include distributing food parcels to poor and needy families. The delegation also implemented zakat projects and other initiatives aligned with the objectives and humanitarian values of Ramadan.

Under the slogan "Feed a Child, Build a Kitchen," Dubai Cares, part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, launched its Ramadan campaign. This campaign aims to support an environmentally friendly school meals program, which will begin in Kenya and expand to other sub-Saharan African countries.

The goal is to transform collective giving into sustainable food, promising opportunities, and greater resilience for children and their families in the face of hunger and malnutrition.

The launch of the program comes amid data indicating that more than 90% of children in Africa lack a balanced diet, while 60% of children in Kenya suffer from malnutrition, which directly affects their attendance, concentration, and academic performance.