Housing & Social Welfare |
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An extensive social welfare network exists to assist vulnerable members of society. This takes the form of social security benefits administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, in addition to the practical help offered by the network of Ministry supported social centres run by the General Women’s Union and the government-supported social welfare and rehabilitation centres providing assistance to the disabled.
The total amount disbursed increased significantly in 2005 following President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s instructions for a 75 per cent increase in the value of social assistance given to UAE citizens, to take effect from 1 October 2005. UAE citizens also have access to free or subsidised housing and land, with around 33,000 applications for housing being received in 2005.
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The Zayed Housing Programme (ZHP) approved 50 per cent of the applications submitted to it for housing and loan assistance by the various housing committees from all over the country, distributing a total of Dh655 million to 1280 UAE citizens, including non-refundable housing grants and loans. A new Abu Dhabi Property law, promulgated in August 2005, which grants nationals and, in some investment areas, expatriates the right to own and transfer property in Abu Dhabi, will have a big impact on the local housing sector. Every property granted by the government to UAE citizens, before or after the issuance of the law, is deemed to be the beneficiary’s property.
The UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) is prominent among the many non-governmental charitable organisations helping those in need, covering such areas as medical aid, student sponsorship, special care, prisoner care and lump-sum aid programmes. Financial support is given for the provision of services to families and the establishment of orphanages, clinics, special schools and homes for the elderly. Thirty humanitarian programmes were implemented throughout the country in 2004, including construction and maintenance of several mosques, the maintenance of a number of schools, and the building of Qur’an memorisation centres and houses in the Northern Emirates. The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation finances projects to benefit large communities both within the UAE and overseas.
It does not distribute cash to individuals or groups. Within the UAE, the charity has spent more than Dh120 million on major projects and about Dh57 million in contributions. Eighty per cent of the Dubai-based Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation’s budget is normally allocated to projects within the UAE. The Foundation’s domestic programmes concentrate on education, medical treatment, monthly or one-time assistance, food coupons, training courses and housing. Other organisations involved in social assistance include charity associations in Sharjah and Fujairah and Dubai, Ajman Care Society, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, the Handicapped Guardians Association and Taryam Omran Establishment for Cultural and Humanitarian Services. |
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Housing & Social Welfare |
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