Mohammed bin Rashid, Mohamed bin Zayed honour 46 UAE Pioneers

The Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has decorated forty-six Emirati philanthropists, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, as part of the UAE Pioneers Award, highlighting the remarkable acts of giving in ‎conjunction with the 46th UAE National Day and the 2017 Year of Giving.

During the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said that the UAE is a country of good and giving across all humanitarian fields, adding that the UAE's philanthropic role is not a new development, but is a cornerstone built by the nation's founding fathers. He also acknowledged the sacrifices of the nation's martyrs, saying, "Our martyrs will only increase our strength of conviction, cohesion, and perseverance to continue helping our brotherly and friendly neighbouring nations, extending our humanitarian arm to those in need."

"The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan laid the foundations for the nation's values of generosity, carried forward by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a leader and a role model for giving, and the nation's martyrs represent a stimulus for the continuing the march of giving and sacrifice," he continued.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid honoured His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his generous contributions and initiatives launched in the humanitarian and charitable works sectors. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed believes that no human should suffer from a preventable disease, and that the nation continues to do what it can to eradicate debilitating and preventable diseases.

The UAE leadership’s commitment to disease elimination began in 1990 through the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and has since continued through a series of contributions from President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed believes that world leaders have the opportunity to eliminate preventable diseases to alleviate the suffering of those in need. Since 2011, His Highness has personally committed US$270 million to global efforts to eradicate and eliminate deadly and debilitating diseases.

In November this year, His Highness, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, launched the 'Reaching the Last Mile Fund' to raise US$100 million with the aim of eradicating, eliminating, and controlling preventable diseases that hinder the health and economic prospects of the world’s poorest people. The fund seeks to support the elimination of two debilitating and preventable neglected diseases, river blindness or onchocerciasis, and lymphatic filariasis which can lead to elephantiasis.

Upon accepting the award, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said, "I am very grateful to my brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid for this generous gesture, which is a tribute to the nation's values of humanitarians and philanthropy in which we all hold dear."

He added, "There is no better feeling than planting the seeds of hope, to help those in need. It increases our will and determination to continue our nation's march towards progress and prosperity."

H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, was also honoured for his initiatives and charitable works that included the establishment of Emirates Field Hospitals clinics at the Emirati-Jordanian Refugee Camp and the launch of the Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Foundation.

The UAE Pioneers Award also honoured the families of the six Emiratis killed in a terrorist bomb attack in Afghanistan while carrying out humanitarian work in January this year. The nation's martyrs were Mohammed Ali Zainal Al Bastaki, Abdullah Mohammed Essa Obaid Al Kaabi, Ahmed Rashid Salim Ali Al Mazroui, Ahmed Abdul Rahman Ahmad Al Tunaiji, Abdul Hamid Sultan Abdullah Ibrahim Al Hammadi, and UAE Ambassador to Afghanistan, Juma Al Kaabi.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council; H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council; H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court; H.H. Sheikh Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs; H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Chairman of the Department of Transport, and Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Higher National Committee for the Year of Giving, attended the event along with several ministers and dignitaries.