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Sheikh Mohammed's global initiatives gave Dh1.8b aid in 2017

Dubai - Up from Dh300 million and nearly doubling the number of people helped in 2016.

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The Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives (MBRGI) carried out initiatives and projects worth Dh1.8 billion that benefitted 69 million people in 68 countries around the world in 2017, the Year in Review report showed on Thursday.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the unveiling of the MBGRI 2017 Year in Review report at the Dubai Opera during an Iftar event.
He was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the Board of Trustees of MBRGI and staff representing the 33 entities and initiatives under the MBRGI.
According to the results of the report, during 2017, the foundation increased its expenditure to Dh1.8 billion compared to the Dh1.5 billion spent in 2016.
After a short Quranic recitation by a gifted youngster, presenters gave an overview of the MBGRI's work interspersed with videos and images from several different initiatives attended by Sheikh Mohammed and his team. 
The renowned Quran reciter Mishary Rashid Alafasy also made an appearance at the event.
He chanted poetry written by Sheikh Mohammed regarding the legacy of giving, "You are not judged on your intentions, but rather your actions."
Striking visuals accompanied statistics on the work of the MBRGI throughout the Arab and Islamic world.
Notable in the slide-show were images of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan with his people, generously giving of his time and love for the masses. 

Worldwide impact 

Of the Dh1.8 billion figure, Dh961 million was spent on the programmes and initiatives of entities falling under the MBRGI's five pillars, which benefitted 69 million people in 68 countries around the world, compared to the MBRGI's reach of 42 million beneficiaries in 62 countries in 2016.
Sheikh Mohammed praised the results, stating: "I am proud of my humanitarian team of more than 500 employees and 90,000 volunteers who dedicate their lives to helping people in over 60 countries worldwide.
"We encourage all of humanitarian institutions under the MBRGI to strive for excellence in their work; and we have the resources, the management and the will to do so. We have no excuse for not being the first in humanitarian aid," Sheikh Mohammed commented.
"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, creating hope for a better life for millions of people. Thus, we seek to continue Sheikh Zayed's legacy of giving without discriminating by race, colour or creed.
"We believe that true value lies in changing the lives of people for the better. The more we give, the more God gives us tenderness, comfort, safety and security."
Sheikh Mohammed concluded: "We will continue to work, build and give in accordance with the vision we have set for ourselves and our team at Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives in service of humanity, first and foremost."
The MBRGI's total 2017 expenditure on Humanitarian Aid and Relief was Dh194 million; while expenditure on Healthcare and Disease Control was Dh477 million; Spreading Education and Knowledge saw an expenditure of Dh634 million; expenditure on Innovation and Entrepreneurship was Dh396 million and expenditure on Empowering Communities was Dh129 million.
Of the total Dh1.8 billion, Dh869 million was invested in establishing sustainable institutions such as the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, the Museum of the Future and other institutions, an increase of Dh78 million invested in sustainable institutions in 2016.
About 90,000 people volunteered during 2017 to implement the various programmes, initiatives and entities of the MBRGI, supporting the foundation's 543 permanent employees.

Great pride

Sheikh Hamdan also spoke of his great pride in the achievements of the MBRGI.
"The Year in Review report represents the achievement of Mohammed bin Rashid's vision to make hope a real and sustainable business. The Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives is a translation of Sheikh Mohammed's vision to advance humanitarian, relief and community work locally, regionally and internationally.
"Dozens of the initiatives and programmes sponsored by Sheikh Mohammed over the past 20 years became established entities that institutionalised philanthropic work.
Charity work thus moves beyond the occasional and becomes a fundamental basis for the way we think and plan for the future."
lujein@khaleejtimes.com