Dubai foundation projects worth AED 1.4 billion impacts 102 million lives

As many as 102 million people in 100 countries benefitted from projects implemented by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) last year.

The number of beneficiaries increased by 11 million compared to 2021 as the charity foundation spent a total of AED 1.4 billion during 2022.

In addition to its team of 847 employees, MBRGI attracted 150,266 volunteers, a record number and an increase of 5,330 volunteers compared to 2021.

Their contributions played a vital role in implementing the foundation’s projects and campaigns across its five main pillars: Humanitarian Aid and Relief, Healthcare and Disease Control, Spreading Education and Knowledge, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Empowering Communities.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, revealed the annual results of MBRGI's Year In Review report for 2022, during a ceremony at the Dubai Opera on Tuesday.

Updates regarding the “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign were also announced, while major contributors to the campaign were honoured during the ceremony.

In 2022, @MBRInitiatives reached out to 100 countries, touching the lives of over 100 million people worldwide. With a dedicated spend of AED 1.4 billion towards promoting human values, the Foundation aims to inspire positive impact across the globe. pic.twitter.com/bP69fIYpfQ

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 11, 2023

.@HHShkMohd announces the annual results of @MBRInitiatives. With an expenditure of AED1.4 b, @MBRInitiatives’ projects served 102 m people in 100 countries. Driven by his vision for humanity, @HHShkMohd continues to bring the promise of a brighter future for people worldwide. pic.twitter.com/X9cgeYPGgs

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) April 11, 2023

.@HHShkMohd honours the partners and contributors of the “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign. pic.twitter.com/YladgcZhZa

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 11, 2023

Humanitarian Aid and Relief

As many as 30.2 million people benefitted from MBRGI’s initiatives and projects under this pillar during 2022, representing an increase of 7.3 million people compared to 2021.

Spending on these programmes rose by AED 493 million compared to 2021, to reach AED 910 million in 2022.

Operating under this pillar are the International Humanitarian City, UAE Food Bank, Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian and Charity Foundation, Suqia and Mohammed bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy.

Together, these institutions implemented food aid campaigns, winter clothes support drive, urgent relief aid for victims of wars and natural disasters, school building projects, student support campaigns, housing projects for the poor, clean water projects and an endowment initiative.

Healthcare and Disease Control

MBRGI spent AED 42.5 million on healthcare and disease control projects that benefitted 9.4 million people during 2022.

Institutions operating under this pillar are Noor Dubai and Al Jalila Foundation, both working to improve healthcare, medical sciences and scientific research.

Spreading Education and Knowledge

There was a record increase in the number of beneficiaries of education and knowledge projects, reaching 55.1 million people, up 6.7 million from 2021.

Total spending on these programmes reached AED 213 million.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

This pillar, key to moving towards a knowledge-based economy and paving the way for new sectors to emerge, spent a total of AED 128 million on various projects and initiatives that benefitted 4.6 million people in 2022, compared to 2.9 million in 2021.

Achievements included the launch of Concept Plus, a business incubator for digital technology SMEs, a new edition of Mohammed bin Rashid Global Water Award which encourages research facilities to develop solutions to face the challenge of clean water scarcity, over 1 million participations in Dubai Future Foundation’s One Million Arab Coders Initiative, as well as the opening of Museum of the Future.

Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development continued to serve Emirati entrepreneurs and start-ups, extending its services to 3,126 entrepreneurs and 2,210 start-ups in 2022.

Empowering Communities

A total of 2.3 million people benefited from community empowerment projects and initiatives during 2022, compared to 2.1 million in 2021, with a total spending of AED 95.1 million reflecting an increase of AED 6.4 million from the previous year.

Institutions working under this pillar include Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, Arab Media Forum, Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, Dubai International Sports Conference, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, Arab Strategy Forum, Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development and Arab Hope Makers.