The Dubai-based property developer Nakheel has donated Dh3 million (US$817,000) to a Ramadan charity to provide fresh water and food parcels for remote villages in the Northern Emirates. The company, which is building Dubai's three Palm islands, made the donation to the Bait al Khair Society, which helps disadvantaged Emiratis, and its employees will help distribute the supplies. Nakheel said the donation was the first of several under its Ramadan initiative. "We are delighted to be able to support Bait al Khair, not only with the donation but also with logistical support," said Manal Shaheen, Nakheel's director of sales, marketing and customer services. "The outstanding work that Bait al Khair has carried out in this region over the last 20 years has seen the lives of so many people change for the better."
Bait al Khair, established in 1984, offers help and funding for the poor, widows, divorcees, patients, low-income and disabled Emiratis, prisoners' families, people with special needs, orphans and students. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said when he announced the Dubai Cares campaign in 2007 that businesses operating in the UAE were expected to make substantial contributions to it. The campaign is seeking to raise an initial Dh200m.
* The National