UAE-based charity sets Dh250 million budget for Ramadan projects

Ajman - This year's campaign, themed 'Your giving is their happiness', will include 'mega charity projects' worth Dh60 million.

An international charity organisation based in Ajman has set a budget of Dh250 million for its projects for the Holy Month of Ramadan this year.
The announcement was made by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Human Appeal International (HAI) and Member of the Federal National Council, at a press conference in Ajman on Monday (March 25).
The target fund, which will be collected by the HAI, "is actually 18 per cent more as compared to the amounts contributed last year", he said.
This year's campaign, themed 'Your giving is their happiness', will include 'mega charity projects' worth Dh60 million, he added.
"These record an 11 per cent growth from last year's campaign."
Up to Dh22.8 million will be spent for the low-income families under the Zakat Al Mal project; around Dh4.7 million for iftar baskets; Dh1.1 million on Zakat Al Fitr; and another Dh1.1 million on Eid clothing, Sheikh Nuaimi said.
For an orphanage project, Dh7.7 million will be set aside and Dh22.8 million for public projects, including schools, mosques, wells and medical centres, among others.
2018 achievements
At the Press meet, Sheikh Nuaimi also looked back on the HAI's success in 2018, from which 2,600 locals have benefitted.
"The campaign, targeting thousands of disadvantaged people this year as instructed by His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, is to provide feast clothes for a large number of citizens."
The organisation, operating from 18 offices in 16 countries worldwide, spent Dh211 million on 1,555 projects, which supported over a million vulnerable people around the globe last year, he said.
"These go on top of the Dh4 million that had been contributed for 2,632 Emiratis, covering house maintenance, healthcare needs, and electricity supply."
Up to Dh24 million was also contributed under the 'Sadaqa' project, while around Dh8 million was given as emergency relief; Dh101.3 million for orphan-related projects; and Dh2.5 million as education allowances.
A number of major projects were also accomplished in 2018.
Dr Khalid Abdulwahab Al Khaja, CEO of the Human Appeal International, said: "These included the anti-poverty project worth Dh134.1 million; anti-hunger project worth Dh24.9 million, community happiness project worth Dh35.4 million; good education project worth Dh5 million, as well as the good health and water project, worth Dh11.4 million."
He added that these projects were carried out under four main programmes.
How the 2019 Ramadan fund will be spent
>Dh60 million: Mega charity projects
>Dh22.8 million: Zakat Al Mal project (low-income families)
>Dh4.7 million: Iftar baskets
>Dh1.1 million: Zakat Al Fitr
>Dh1.1 million: Eid clothing
>Dh7.7 million: Orphanage project
>Dh22.8 million: Public projects (schools, mosques, wells)
Benefactors Fund to be set up
As part of its initiatives this year, the Human Appeal International will be creating a 'Benefactors Fund', through which an account will be set up for each HAI-registered sponsor or a partner company.
"Eligible cases will be studied and verified by qualified staff social workers, following which the right amount of donation will be indicated for account, saving time and effort for all parties involved."
The HAI targets to set up 20 accounts for partner establishments and individuals in the first half of 2019, Sheikh Nuaimi said.
"The average target per account is Dh300,000 and the total amount sought is Dh6 million."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ajman