Mother Teresa once said, “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” Her words are all the more compelling as she was the world’s shining bastion of generosity, care and selfless service. When it comes to her looking after the poor and the destitute, even those shunned by society such as lepers, there is no match.

It is heartening to note that the overarching importance of charity and humanitarian initiatives is not lost on some of the world’s organisations – and the UAE. There is a groundswell of generosity particularly during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The Emirates Red Crescent’s efforts to help the quake victims in Syria is truly praiseworthy. It is ramping up efforts with its Syrian counterparts to distribute nearly 30,000 Iftar meals in the governorates of Aleppo, Homs and Hamah, apart from 75,000 meals in Latakia. It should be noted also that the measles and polio vaccination campaign will be launched on April 8 across northwest Syria to protect some 800,000 children under five years from the two potentially deadly but preventable diseases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a statement. The Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) has teamed up with philanthropists in the community to issue 1,000 food cards, repatriated 140 prisoners and gave Iftar and Eid gifts to 2,100 individuals.

The “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to coincide with the Holy Month of Ramadan and establish the largest Ramadan sustainable food aid endowment fund, has raised more than Dh500 million in the 15 days since it started.

Dr. Abdulkader Sankari and his sons have pledged to contribute a total of Dhs50 million over a period of 5 years towards the campaign, to help implement sustainable programmes to fight and eradicate hunger. Emirates Islamic and Emirates NBD have announced a donation of Dhs6.5 million towards the “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign. Under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), TBHF and the Sharjah Charity International (SCI) in collaboration with the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA) have announced joining UAE’s ‘Bridges of Goodness’ national initiative that was launched to offer relief to earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, unveiling a joint telethon with the SCI and SBA. In a tweet, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi stressed: “The disaster that hit people of Syria and Turkey is intense and they need a humanitarian stand and an honest reaction, while the world is offering urgent and emergency relief, we call on you to stand by them and think about their future.”

The UAE is home to several charity initiatives and campaigns implemented by relevant authorities amidst widespread popular interactions, including those aimed at addressing diseases and health problems, building mosques and digging wells, as well as urgent relief campaigns.  The country prioritises charity work, being a humanitarian value based on giving without discrimination addressed to the whole of humanity. Charity work in the UAE has gained momentum through the contributions of citizens and residents. The institutionalisation of charity work in the UAE has also turned it into a community culture, which is clearly demonstrated by the humanitarian donations and initiatives to rescue victims and needy people around the world. Dozens of charity authorities and organisations operate in the UAE, supporting needy people globally, especially during times of crisis and emergencies.

Truly the nation is a towering citadel of generosity, a glowing model for other countries to follow and reach out a helping hand for the poor and distressed.