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.
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.
Of this 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.
