Page 130 - MBRF PR REPORT - MARCH 2025

Rashid Al Maktoum said, ‘We will continue to extend a helping hand to less fortunate people,
combat poverty, hunger, and ignorance everywhere in our region and the world, and instill hope for
a better tomorrow in our Arab societies,” Sheikh Hamdan added.
Sustainable approach

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, said: “Guided by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum’s vision, MBRGI has established an inspiring model and a sustainable approach to
philanthropy. It focuses on making a long-term and lasting difference in the lives of tens of millions
of less fortunate individuals by empowering and developing them through impactful programmes in
education, health, community empowerment, and youth support, while building international
partnerships to enhance humanitarian and development efforts.

Azizi honoured

During the ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum bestowed the ‘Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum Order for Philanthropy’ to Mirwais Azizi, Founder and Chairman of Azizi
Developments, whose contribution of Dh3 billion marked the first contribution in support of the
Fathers’ Endowment campaign, and the largest individual private sector donation in UAE history.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid also honoured a number of major contributors to the Fathers’
Endowment campaign and awarded them the ‘Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Medal for
Philanthropy’. Honourees included: Saeed Mohammed Ahmad Al Tayer, Managing Director and
CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA); Abdullah Al Basti, Chairman of the Board
of Trustees of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment
(MBRHC); Mohammed Juma Al Naboodah; Masih Imtiaz, CEO of Imtiaz Developments; Imran
Farooq, CEO of SAMANA Developers; Ahsan Rasheed, CEO of Peace Homes; Yussuffali MA,
Chairman of Lulu Group; Siddharth Balachandran, Executive Chairman and CEO of Buimerc
Corporation Ltd.; Abdullah Matar Al Mannai, Chairman and Managing Director of Emirates Auction;
Omar Al Mannai, Executive Director of Emirates Auction; Dr. Abdulla AlGhfeli, Acting Director-
General of the Integrated Transport Centre; Brigadier Mohammed Al Braik Al Ameri, Executive
Director of the Drivers and Vehicles Licensing Sector; Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of Licensing Agency at
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Naresh Bhawnani, Chairman of the West Zone
Group.

MBRGI’s 2024 Year in Review showcases the humanitarian, developmental, and social
achievements of its various initiatives, programmes, and institutions. These efforts alleviated
suffering among vulnerable populations and fostered sustainable, comprehensive change, aligned
with MBRGI’s mission to create hope and build a safer, more stable future.

Volunteers
In 2024, MBRGI’s initiatives engaged 171,892 volunteers, a significant increase from 160,547 in
2023. These volunteers, alongside 975 staff members, provided crucial support for numerous
humanitarian, relief, health, educational, cultural, and community-focused projects and
programmes. MBRGI also awarded over AED38.5 million (compared to AED25.1 million in 2023) to
incentivise and recognise achievements in humanitarian and developmental work. The foundation

https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/dubai-s-humanitarian-initiatives-impact-149-million-lives-
in-119-countries-1.500064759