Page 159 - UAE Foreign Aid Report 2022

Section 05
159
UAE Donors

Allocation Insights

01 Social Services

In 2022, Dar Al Ber Society reinforced its Al Ber Society’s initiatives in 2022 within social
unwavering devotion to the Social Services welfare services and related basic social services
Sector, earmarking a significant portion of its are both broad and deep, reflecting a holistic
foreign aid budget to uplift and bolster this vital approach to aid. Key undertakings included
sector. With a generous contribution of AED 165.5 continued sponsoring orphans by providing
million (USD 45.1 million), a staggering 64% of essential items like mattresses and clothing, and
its annual foreign aid disbursements, the Society extending monthly financial assistance to senior
ensured that a plethora of programs—from citizens and financially strained families. In its bid
social welfare services to time-honored seasonal to provide tangible solutions, the Society funded
programmes—were well-funded. This significant the construction and furnishing of a dozen homes
allocation vividly illuminates the Society’s for needy families, with an additional 15 homes
intrinsic commitment to advancing societal well- receiving full furnishing.
being and championing transformative change.
Central to Dar Al Ber Society’s ethos is the Beyond immediate aid, Dar Al Ber demonstrated
profound aspiration to enhance the living foresight by empowering recipients with
standards of the underserved and marginalized sustainable means of livelihood. Livestock,
segments of society. Navigating within the vast sewing machines, fishing boats, and horse-drawn
expanse of the Social Services Sector, 2022 saw carts were distributed, stimulating self-reliance
the Society highlighting two key areas: social and nurturing income-generating activities. This
welfare services and a diverse suite of basic was complemented by initiatives like setting
social services. These foundational subsectors up small retail outlets, facilitating access to
were beneficiaries of more than half of the farmland – either through purchase or lease – and
allocated budget for the sector. In real terms, establishing charitable endowment shops.
this means a significant AED 86.8 million (USD
23.6 million) was disbursed across 30 countries. Echoing its reverence for cultural traditions,
Leading the list of primary beneficiaries from this particularly during the Holy Month of Ramadan,
philanthropic outreach were nations like Egypt, Dar Al Ber Society continued its legacy of
Palestine. benevolence. With an allocation of AED 8.2
million (USD 2.2 million) for its 2022 seasonal
The outreach projects undertaken by Dar Al Ber in programme, the Society reached out to 29
the realm of social welfare and other fundamental countries, extending support in the form of
services are not only expansive but also attuned alms and Iftar, embodying the very essence of
to the multifaceted needs of communities. Dar generosity that the holy month stands for.