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Dubai Cares Concludes Year of Remarkable Impact Regionally, Globally


Dubai: Dubai Cares, a civil society organisation formally associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UN DGC), since its inception in 2007, has reached over 116 million direct and indirect beneficiaries across 60 developing countries, which includes beneficiaries from its school-based deworming activities. The UAE-based global philanthropic organisation concluded 2024 with exceptional growth in its impact, reflecting significant local and global expansion.



According to Emirates News Agency, through its comprehensive portfolio, Dubai Cares has supported a wide range of needs, including health-focused initiatives like deworming and school feeding, as well as the provision of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in schools. The organisation has also been prioritising early childhood development, empowering and training teachers, and supporting youth skills development. In emergencies, Dubai Cares has been delivering essential emergency relief as well as ensuring the continuity of education for children and youth.



Additionally, the organisation has been focusing on access to quality primary and secondary education, digital connectivity, and girls’ education and empowerment. To date, Dubai Cares has collaborated with 143 partners to implement 260 programmes, 48 advocacy initiatives and 40 research programmes. By the end of 2024, the organisation had disbursed AED1 billion from its committed portfolio towards its programmatic interventions.



Dubai Cares also strengthened its advocacy efforts by unveiling the “Rewiring Education: The Climate-Education Nexus” report, further emphasising the organisation’s commitment to transforming global education for a sustainable future. Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Cares, expressed gratitude to the UAE community for their support and highlighted the organisation’s expansion and deepened impact both globally and within the UAE through education programmes and community engagement initiatives.



In 2024, Dubai Cares demonstrated its firm commitment to humanitarian aid through two major crisis-response campaigns: “Gaza In Our Hearts” during Ramadan and a joint nationwide initiative with “UAE stands with Lebanon.” By rallying the UAE community, Dubai Cares launched a fundraising drive aimed at mobilising resources for families and children in Gaza and Lebanon facing extreme hardship.



Through the “Gaza In Our Hearts” campaign, Dubai Cares raised AED15,654,829 (US$4,260,977) that helped provide 253,984 hot meals and 37,813 food baskets to families in Gaza. Additionally, the food baskets facilitated the preparation of over 1 million hot meals. In collaboration with the UAE government’s “UAE stands with Lebanon” initiative, Dubai Cares raised approximately AED39 million (US$10.61 million) to provide emergency aid to displaced families in Lebanon.



Dubai Cares also launched the “Taste of Giving” campaign, engaging the UAE’s restaurant and food and beverage sector. With participation from nearly 50 restaurants and FandB brands, the campaign encouraged community support for education through dining out and purchasing select products. The “Back to School” edition saw over 400 volunteers in Abu Dhabi pack 10,000 essential school kits for children from low-income families across the UAE.



The “Students for Students” initiative received remarkable support from the UAE school community, raising AED720,000 through creative efforts of students from 14 schools. Schools organised fundraising activities, allowing Dubai Cares to provide essential school supplies to children from low-income families. In its second phase, 12 schools hosted volunteer days where over 3,500 participants packed 9,000 school kits for distribution to charity schools and organisations in the UAE.



Dubai Cares formed impactful partnerships with HRE Development and The Giving Movement, bringing unique philanthropy models to support global education. HRE Development’s AED30 million commitment integrated charitable giving into homeownership, with contributions supporting educational initiatives for underprivileged children. The Giving Movement raised AED5.1 million by donating AED14.7 ($4) from each sale, supporting Dubai Cares’ Gaza programme.



Dubai Cares’ “Adopt a School” and “Adopt a Library” initiatives continued to resonate with donors and partners, funding the establishment or renovation of schools and libraries in underserved regions. In 2024, Dubai Cares raised funds for constructing eight schools and libraries in rural areas across India, Malawi, Nepal, and Senegal.



The “Rewiring Education: The Climate-Education Nexus” report, unveiled during the RewirEd Summit at COP28 UAE, explores the intersection between education and climate action. The report presents actionable solutions and practical recommendations to foster sustainable development through education transformation.

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