Dubai - MENA Herald: The Middle East and North Africa [MENA] region is currently host to the world’s largest number of refugees. Many of these people have been displaced from within the region itself. Careem, the region’s leading ride hailing app, today launched its “UNHCR” car type in Dubai, conceived in partnership with UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to allow passengers to donate and support MENA refugees.
This initiative was created in honour of the UAE Year of Giving launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Dubai residents can now donate to those who also call this region home, but are most desperately in need of help – as simple as the daily commute.
Selecting the UNHCR car option when booking through the App will add a fixed 3 AED donation to each trip, which will be charged at the usual Economy fare rate for Dubai, with all funds raised going directly to UNHCR.
“Our partnership with UNHCR is indicative of what we stand for,” commented Mudassir Sheikha, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Careem. “As a company from the region, dedicated to simplifying the lives of those in this region, we are fully focused on supporting all communities in the Middle East – and that must include the millions of refugees struggling to re-establish their lives here. Our goal is to build an institution that inspires; that means we take our role as responsible community player very seriously. Deeply inspired by the UAE Year of Giving initiative, we felt compelled to act and we are immensely proud to be working with UNHCR to enable access to more donation opportunities that will make a real difference to refugees.”
Toby Harward, Head of UNHCR UAE added: ‘With more than 16.7 million refugees and internally displaced persons in the Middle East and North Africa region, there is a big need for new advocacy and funding initiatives in the region, including with the private sector. UNHCR places great importance on seeking creative new approaches for the good of refugees. Our partnership with Careem perfectly reflects this spirit of innovation, and we are really excited by this initiative.’
Following the launch of the car type in Dubai, Careem and UNHCR are collaborating closely with the aim of expanding the donation opportunity throughout the region to enable more of its users across the Middle East to support refugees. UNHCR car types are expected to come online in Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia ahead of the first day of Ramadan, the season of giving.