A strong theme of sustainability underpins a diverse range of community initiatives that DP World, UAE Region has dedicated to mark the UAE’s Year of Zayed.
Since the UAE government declared 2018 as the Year of Zayed, a series of social campaigns and initiatives were conducted by DP World, UAE Region, including volunteering activities, blood donation drives, community support that covered over 1,000 beneficiaries, and the distribution of more than 100,000 Iftar meals during Ramadan.
The events were inspired by the vision and wisdom of the nation’s Founding Father, with an aim to emphasise Sheikh Zayed’s values for the next generation of leaders and to enable his dream of a dynamic, modern nation. The activities were designed and coordinated in line with the guiding principles laid out by the Higher National Committee for the Year of Zayed.
Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said: “The Year of Zayed has been a momentous period to renew our commitment to follow Sheikh Zayed’s path of unity, social justice and economic prosperity for all. Our aim has been to commemorate and honour the legacy of the Founding Father of the UAE, his vision and the values he espoused. DP World, UAE Region’s carefully chosen community initiatives were both meaningful and direct contributions to society. We take this opportunity to salute this great leader, his wise and forward-looking thoughts have inspired three generations of Emirati people.”
“It’s the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, to see Emirati companies like DP World take their social responsibility seriously and commit to the underlying tenets of Emirati culture such as loyalty, care and dedication. These qualities enable us to build a sustainable future for the coming generations, and they are the morals DP World has ingrained in its culture.”
DP World’s engagement and awareness campaigns under Year of Zayed consist of four initiatives: World Environment Day, Breast Cancer Month, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and World Food Day.
The green energy project at DP World’s flagship facilities Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone is the largest distributed solar rooftop project in the Middle East, with over 88,000 panels installed when full completed, enough to provide clean power to the equivalence of 3,000 homes a year.
Other activities successfully carried out under the Year of Zayed were a voluntary drive to clean up beaches and Abtaal Al Jalila, a ground-breaking step to team up with Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital’s volunteer programme, becoming the first UAE organisation to take the responsible step.
DP World, UAE Region also conducted six blood donation campaigns to support the Dubai Health Authority’s fight against Thalassemia, and collecting blood from 326 donors that saved 978 lives. In other work, the company also collaborated with several hospitals and centres for the disabled in an initiative that benefitted over 1,000 people. They include the Al Qassimi Hospital, Rashid Centre, Khorfakkan Club for Disabled, Ajman Club for Disabled, Rashid Summer Camp and Al Noor Center for the Care of Disabled.
As part of its Ramadan programme, DP World, UAE region reached out to the community by distributing more than 100,000 Iftar meals during the Holy Month of Ramadan, including 3,000 meals to truck drivers at Jebel Ali Port’s Gates 3 and 7. Additionally, over 200 needy families received support, 5,500 phone cards were distributed to DP World workers, and visits were made to senior citizens at the Thukher Social Club.