Prepared by: Benoi Nair

Photographer: Sultan Almarzooqi

Ministry of Community Development and Union Coop support families of limited income and prisoners by distributing 200 purchase cards

Dubai, UAE:

The Ministry of Community Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Union Coop, the largest Consumer Cooperative in the UAE, which looks forward to increase the cooperation between two entities in various aspects, especially for the welfare of families of prisoners and those with limited income. The MOU fulfil the basic requirements and needs of the families of prisoners and people with limited income through providing purchase cards as part of the societal partnership programs that would enhance solidarity values of the society on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan.

The memorandum was signed by HE Nasser Ismail, Assistant Undersecretary of Social Welfare, Ministry of Community Development and Dr. Suhail Al Bastaki, Director of Happiness & Marketing Dept. at Union Coop. The MOU states that Union Coop shall provide financial support for the families of prisoners and limited income people with a total amount of AED 100,000 to be distributed as purchase cards to fulfil the needs of concerned families.

The memorandum also states the receipts of 200 purchase cards by the Ministry, and to provide Union Coop with a list of beneficiaries periodically during the tenure of the memorandum, as well as to provide Union Coop with documented proof and a comprehensive report on the delivery of all the cards with maximum mid-January 2020.

According to the memorandum, Union Coop will provide financial support to the families of prisoners and low-income groups with a total amount of AED 100,000, distributed in form of 200 purchase cards of value AED 500 each. The cards will be activated from the date of signing the memorandum until 31 December 2019. The unused and remaining funds from the account of support cards for the families of prisoners and those with limited income will be collected on January 2, 2020, for additional purchase cards for the same purpose.

On the occasion of MoU signing ceremony, HE Nasser Ismail affirmed the Ministry’s keenness to reflect the Federal Government’s vision with respect to the year 2021, to achieve human well-being, ensure high-quality community services, facilitate access to government services, and activate strategic partnership between federal, government and private sectors to improve services provided to the public. He also pointed out the importance of stimulating community partnership and cooperation among all entities to achieve the national agenda indicators “social solidarity index”, “index of family cohesion and social solidarity among all the community members” and provision of sustainable and innovative community services.

Furthermore, His Excellency highlights that one of the major objectives of the Ministry of Community Development is to provide continuous and comprehensive support for Emirati families with interactive initiatives to enhance the transition from social care to community development. In this regard, all federal ministries and local government entities play an important role in raising societal responsibilities and achieve ambitious development partnership goals. Supporting government and semi-government programs and projects, public benefits associations, local community and humanitarian care programs enhance partnership in the community development process to target all community members.

Dr. Suhail Al Bastaki, Director of Happiness & Marketing Dept. at Union Coop said: “By signing this Memorandum of Understanding, Union Coop looks forward to contribute to the achievement of decent living and human well-being and ensuring the provision of high-quality community social services. We look forward to activate Corporate Social Responsibility projects by supporting Government and semi-Government welfare institutions, local humanitarian and social care programs, as well as participating in community development projects to enhance societal partnership and extend a helping hand to the community to enhance cooperation and contribute to the public benefit.”

Al Bastaki added, “We are keen to support the families of prisoners and those with limited income based on the framework of the Union Coop since its establishment to cooperatives and collective action to ensure a dignified life for all the community members. Supporting these categories is very important to ensure payment of their needs and at the same time prevent the family members from falling into dangers or risk factors. Such initiatives are considered as a barrier to protect the community from any dangers. Such initiatives pose as the first wall of defense against the risks posed to the community members and ensures that the needs of the community are taken care of.”