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‘Dubai Cares’ drive extended

DUBAI — His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday extended the ‘Dubai Cares’ charity campaign for two more weeks.

The campaign, launched on September 19 to help provide primary education to one million children across developing countries, has surpassed all expectations in raising funds of over Dh1 billion in less than a month.

The last day for donations was to be October 27. A two-week extension would see the campaign finish on November 10. However, a final date has not been confirmed, according to the campaign’s media relations officials.

The sheer magnitude of community involvement has resulted in an unprecedented level of private and corporate donations in Dubai, attracting the attention of global organisations such as the United Nations.

Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, said: “His Highness Shaikh Mohammed is a man of extraordinary vision. His initiative of the charity campaign is establishing Dubai as a frontrunner in championing noble causes on a global scale.

“Dubai Cares is set to make a meaningful difference in the lives of deserving children. Following the overwhelming response, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed wants to build on this exemplary community effort by extending the campaign by two more weeks. This will provide further opportunity to all those who wish to raise their contribution to help benefit a larger number of children in the identified countries.”

Tasked with the responsibility to drive the campaign at home and abroad, the sons and daughters of Shaikh Mohammed have carried the ‘Dubai Cares’ flag to the Comoros Islands, Yemen, Sudan, Djibouti and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Dubai Cares is the latest in a line of international initiatives that reflect Dubai’s commitment to play an effective role in securing a better tomorrow for future generations. The campaign will drive the UN Millennium Development Goal to achieve universal primary education by 2015.