An Abu Dhabi humanitarian drive aiming to provide critical support to patients with chronic diseases and people with various disabilities has raised more than half of its Dh1 billion fund-raising target in only two weeks.
The Life Endowment campaign, established by the Endowments and Minors Funds Authority (Awqaf Abu Dhabi), has collected Dh509 million from 93,000 contributors, it was announced on Sunday.
The vital initiative, being held under the slogan With you for Life, was announced by President Sheikh Mohamed under the UAE's Year of Community.
The impressive running total is thanks to contributions from both individuals and businesses alike, including a Dh172 million donation from Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation.
The drive will help to cover treatment costs for people while supporting the research and development of pharmaceutical drugs.
Fahad Al Qassim, director general of the Abu Dhabi Endowments and Minors Funds Authority, said the scheme represented a major milestone in the UAE's philanthropic vision.
“The significant contributions received since the campaign's launch demonstrate the UAE community's unwavering commitment to supporting humanitarian initiatives," Mr Al Qassim said.
"The enthusiastic response to the Life Endowment campaign exemplifies deep compassion for those suffering from chronic diseases and for people of determination.
"The continued flow of generous contributions through various channels underscores the widespread culture of endowment in our society as a key catalyst of sustainability.”
Who will benefit from fund?
The fund will be continuous and have no end date, Mr Al Qassim previously told The National. Its finances will be invested and then spent to help patients.
“Assets will be invested and the returns will be spent on treatment, which means that we have a sustainable financial instrument and product that gives returns every single year,” he said in an interview following the campaign's launch.
“This endowment caters for the weakest point in the community and a lot of those people are actually non-UAE nationals. Emiratis today, at the end of the day, they do get the treatment from the government by the leadership. Expats today are more vulnerable in terms of the weaker point of the community.
“Endowments are here to stay for generations. It’s not for the next two years, and then it will be mothballed or to a different initiative. No, it will continue to be there, hopefully for generations to come.”
Abu Dhabi's Department of Health is overseeing the health-related aspects of the endowment, ensuring contributions are directed effectively to support specialised care and reach those who need the funds most.
The campaign has two fund-raising arms – the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, which has been a leading humanitarian entity since 1983, and the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, Abu Dhabi’s official channel to receive social contributions.
How to contribute
Individuals and institutions can make donations using various platforms:
Awqaf Abu Dhabi's digital donation platform
Send the word "Life" in a text message using the e& Emirates network to the following numbers: 3557 to donate Dh10, 3556 to donate Dh50, 3225 to donate Dh100 and 3223 to donate Dh500
Send the word "Life" in a text message using the du network to the following numbers: 3583 to donate Dh10, 3585 to donate Dh50, 3586 to donate Dh100 and 3587 to donate Dh500
Send a bank transfer to the campaign account at First Abu Dhabi Bank (IBAN: AE930353417000004600004)
The Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an platform
You can also donate at Ma’an and Emirates Red Crescent booths in hospitals and public places across the country
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Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
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Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
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Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
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There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
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Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
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Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm
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