RAK Charity Foundation contributed Dh18.9m

Ras Al Khaimah - Speaking to Khaleej Times, Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Foundation, said the Foundation spares no effort to help vulnerable people wherever they are.

The Ras Al Khaimah Charity Foundation, dedicated to philanthropic works locally and abroad, is all set to spend Dh19,675,000 on charitable and humanitarian programmes this year. 
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Foundation, said the Foundation spares no effort to help vulnerable people wherever they are. 
"We are geared up with numerous philanthropic projects, worth Dh19,675,000, this year in line with the directives of the UAE prudent leadership, and in view of the promising 'Year of Giving' presidential initiative." 
Official figures show that the Foundation spent Dh18.9 million on charity projects last year. "The money was contributed to low-income families, as well as indigent students, researchers, patients, and orphans." 
These included direct cash Zakat or contributions with a total amount of Dh17,288,000 spent on 3,659 low-income families, while general charity expenditure hit Dh1,620,000, Al Zaabi explained. 
"Monthly allowance of Dh3 million were contributed to 3,465 families whereas 58 Emirati families of those approved by Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme were given financial support to buy their furniture and air conditioners." 
The Foundation has also paid the outstanding rents of 47 Emirati families, apart from orphans taken care locally and abroad, he elaborated. 
"We sponsored 39 orphans in Uganda for four years in collaboration with the Al Rahma for Charity organization, let alone 10 Emirati orphans in the country as per the available contributions specified for this important segment of the society." 
Al Zaabi said the Foundation specified Dh20,000 for encouraging young children to memorise the holy Quran as part of the RAK Holy Quran Award held annually here. 
"We also helped 14 Emirati families with electricity supplying, added to 1,402 staff cleanliness and agriculture workers with the RAK department of public works and services; Dh400 each." 
The RAK Charity Foundation also ran an important programme for assisting cancer and dialysis patients who were given Dh807,000 as treatment fees, he disclosed. 
"The Foundation also paid Dh2,854,000 as study fees of 86 poor university students, as well as Ramadan packages coupons for 175 low-income families." 
Indicating, Al Zaabi said the Foundation successfully ran six mass Iftar banquets at different locations in the emirate. "Over 36,000 people benefited from distributed the free meals which stood against Dh272,000."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah