Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority and Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority Jointly Pledge AED1 Million to ‘Dress One Million Needy Children' Campaign

Dubai-UAE: 17 July, 2013 - Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the regulatory body for Dubai Silicon Oasis, the integrated free zone technology park, in conjunction with Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA) have jointly pledged AED1 million to the ‘Dress One Million Needy Children' campaign.

Launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the campaign aims to dress one million needy children around the world through mobilising donations during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The campaign will conclude on 19 Ramadan to coincide with the ninth death anniversary of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the ‘Emirati Humanitarian Work Day', an annual event hosted in the memory of the nation's founding father.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DSOA and DAFZA, said: “This is yet another phenomenal philanthropic initiative under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The humanitarian effort seeks to clothe a million needy children that are impacted by war, conflict and disasters. We are privileged to have the resources to support such an ambitious campaign that is inspired by our leader's vision to make a meaningful contribution to the communities that are in urgent need of our compassion and assistance.”

Emirates Red Crescent Dubai branch, which is executing the campaign, has plans to reach out to 32 countries. Since its roll-out on the beginning of Ramadan, the campaign has already dressed 10,000 children in Bosnia and 100,000 in Yemen. The initiative has also provided clothes to children of 5,000 Syrian refugee families in Jordan. Meanwhile, clothes are being despatched to Lebanon for the Syrian refugees and the children in Egypt that have been affected by recent political conflict.

The ‘Dress One Million Needy Children' campaign is being supported by several government organisations including Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Emirates ID Authority and several other private organisations and individuals in Dubai. Personal donations are also invited via mobile phones. A contribution of AED40 can dress one child, AED160 can dress four, AED240 can dress six and AED400 can dress 10 children.

Dubai Airport Free Zone established in 1996 is the region's fastest growing free zone. The inner-city Dubai Airport Free Zone is currently home to 1,600 companies, from across the globe and covers a vast number of key industry sectors, including aviation, freight and logistics, IT and telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, engineering, food and beverage, jewellery and cosmetics. Some of the world's most recognised brands have set up their Middle Eastern hubs in DAFZA.

A wholly-owned entity of the Dubai government, Dubai Silicon Oasis operates as a free zone technology park for the semiconductor, microelectronics and other high technology-based companies looking to set up their regional headquarters and research and development facilities in the Middle East and Africa region.