SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - UAE Interact

S O C I A L D E V E L O P M E N T223Dh85.6 million were also carried out by the Red Crescent in theUAE in 2006, working closely with the Zakat Fund, distributingmoney donated by Muslims fulfilling their religious duties.The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable andHumanitarian Foundation finances projects to benefit largecommunities both within the UAE and overseas. It does notdistribute financial resources to individuals or groups.Abu Dhabi-based Zayed Higher Foundation for HumanitarianWelfare of Special Needy People and Minors was formed in 2004.Bodies under its auspices include the Authority for Social Welfareand Minors’ Affairs, Zayed House for Comprehensive Welfare, AbuDhabi Elderly Welfare Centre, Centre for Rehabilitation of SpecialNeeds People, and Al Ain Centre and Club for Handicapped.Eighty per cent of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al MaktoumCharitable and Humanitarian Foundation’s budget is normallyallocated to projects within the UAE. The foundation’s domesticprogrammes concentrate on education, medical treatment, monthlyor one-time assistance, food coupons, training courses and housing.The Bait Al Khair Charity Society provides assistance to poorstudents and emergency aid to those who have been hit bycatastrophes. It also works with other charity organisations toensure that the needy get the best of help.Other organisations include the women’s associations in eachemirate, charity associations in Sharjah and Fujairah and Dubai,Ajman Care Society, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Umm@www.uaeinteract.com/welfareIn addition to its work as amajor international reliefagency, the UAE Red Crescentalso carries out extensivedomestic humanitarian andcharitable developmentprogrammes.The UAE’s federaldisability law, FederalLaw No. 29 of 2006,enshrining the rights ofthe disabled and layingdown provisions fortheir welfare, is basedon the principles ofthe InternationalConvention on theRights of Personswith Disabilities.