Dubai's ruler offers clothing to 3 million children in 25 countries

Dubai, Jul 31 (PTI): Dubai's ruler has distributed cloths to three million underprivileged children in 25 countries, including India, under a humanitarian campaign launched during the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the campaign on July 11 to dress one million needy children across the world. However, the total number of beneficiaries reached to three million, three times more than the planned figure.

The initiative concluded on Monday (19th Ramadan) when the UAE marked the Zayed Humanitarian Day and 9th death anniversary of its founding father late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

According to a statement released by the UAE's official news agency WAM, the number of recipients of Sheikh Mohammed's donation was doubled to 3 million from the initially planned 1.5 million.

"Engagement of the generous UAE people with the campaign has resulted in bringing joy to 3 million children on the Eid in addition to slew of initiatives that will benefit other millions around the world, establishing the UAE as a capital of charity," said Sheikh Mohammed.

He praised the efforts made by the UAE Red Crescent Authority, which is executing the campaign, and other organisations supporting it.

The campaign has reached out to the needy children in Bosnia, Albania, Yemen, Lebanon, Egypt, Djibouti, Senegal, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Malawi, Jordan, India and Pakistan in addition to Syrian refugee children in Jordan and Lebanon.

In addition, the clothes would also be given to children in the Philippines, Iraq, Somalia, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Bangladesh.