#Year of Giving initiatives reach out to refugee children in Yemen

In line with the #Year of Giving initiative announced by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, a member of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has donated educational books to benefit Somali refugee students and local community students in Yemen.

The books were distributed by the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, in two boys’ primary schools at Al Kharaz Camp for Somali refugees, and one girls’ secondary school at Al Basateen district in Aden Governorate. Nearly 4,500 refugee and host community children will have access to the books in school libraries.

This is the first initiative of its kind to reach out to refugees in Yemen in collaboration with the UNHCR.

On the occasion, Toby Harward, the Head of UNHCR office in the UAE, said, "We highly appreciate this initiative by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, as we believe that the furtherance of education and provision of opportunities for refugee children is an essential part of responding to refugee emergencies. The project will contribute to educating the students and expanding their horizons, and encouraging them to read more and more."

He added, "Year of Giving initiatives have become a central part of the UAE’s philanthropic model, and the UNHCR is thrilled that such initiatives are now benefitting refugee and host community children in Yemen. We would be delighted to see more of these valuable initiatives."

Jamal bin Huwaireb, Chief Executive Officer of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, said, "This initiative comes in line with the initiatives and projects of the Foundation during the Year of Giving, and is in line with the UAE government's drive to support reading and knowledge at the local, regional and global levels."

He added, "The initiative reinforces the foundation's direction to expand its efforts in spreading knowledge globally and reach out broadly, especially in societies whose people suffer from crises that prevent their access to knowledge. The initiative also emphasises the social role of the foundation in all communities around the world."

The UNHCR says it continues to support the refugee education at Al Kharaz Camp and in the urban area of Al Basateen, Aden, by providing them with school materials and uniforms, in addition to supporting the capacity building activities of the teachers, rehabilitation of school infrastructure and non-curricula activities.