Entities dedicated to Humanitarian Aid and Relief
International Humanitarian City
International Humanitarian City (IHC), established in 2003, is a global humanitarian hub based in Dubai with the mandate of using its transport and logistics capacity to enable aid agencies to provide emergency relief items to victims of crises. IHC hosts the offices of United Nations agencies and other non-governmental organisations. It plays an indispensable role transporting emergency, life-saving items, thanks to its strategic location in Dubai, which positions it within an eight- hour flight of two-thirds of the global population.
UAE Food Bank
The UAE Food Bank, established in January 2017, is committed to collecting excess food from hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, farms and other related establishments, and distributing it to those in need in the UAE and abroad, in coordination with a number of local and international charities. As the first food bank in the UAE, it represents a comprehensive humanitarian, social, economic and cultural ecosystem that aims to eliminate waste while alleviating hunger locally, regionally and internationally.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian & Charity Establishment
Since its inception in 1997, the Establishment has worked to enhance the quality of life of people in the UAE and around the world. It implements development and relief projects, such as health, family empowerment and education-related initiatives as well as infrastructure projects. It works in 68 countries in collaboration with local and international partners.
UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia)
The UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia) was established in 2015 to dispense humanitarian aid around the world and help communities suffering from water scarcity. It provides clean drinking water by drilling wells, distributing water pumps and water purification equipment, and undertaking desalination projects. Suqia also identifies sustainable responses to water scarcity and runs the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, which encourages innovators to compete to find solar-powered solutions.
Mohammed bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy
Launched in 2016 to help Dubai achieve its vision for maximising the potential of awqaf and endowments in serving humanity, the Centre offers free consultancy to encourage investment in these charitable instruments as a means of fulfilling societal needs. It works with partners to define a clear legislative framework, adopt best practice and identify and crowd-fund urgent needs.