DABS contributed AED73.35mn to 14,899 local cases in 2016

DUBAI / WAM

Dar Al Ber Society (DABS) announced that it has contributed AED73.35 million to 14,899 low-income Emirati nationals and expatriate residents across the country.
Abdullah Ali bin Zayed, Executive Director of DABS, said they paid out AED16.5m as tenancy rents to 2,662 low-income families. “Up to AED4.4m was contributed as study fees to 556 university students of low-income and a further AED16.8m for 3,308 school students.”
The Zakat and Social Services Department also paid AED10.4m to 1,371 patients in need, he added. “Air conditioners and fridges, worth AED724,025, were also offered to 190 vulnerable families of different nationalities.”
Mohamed Suhail Al Muhairi, Board Council Member and head of the social service sector at Dar Al Ber, said they also contributed in-kind items to 15,765 needy individuals and families last year.
“We distributed 322,770 free meals to low-income people, along with other assistance given to defaulters, scientific researchers, preachers, and air tickets home for financially burdened residents.”
He added that Dar Al Ber had also paid out diya, or blood money, in a number of cases. “These were apart from new Muslims’ allowances, Haj and Umrah projects, school supplies, electricity bills, Eid clothes, and general expenses,” he explained.
However, school fees topped the list of allowances, constituting 24 percent of Dar Al Ber’s local expenditure last year, Al Muhairi said. “Contributions for low-income families came second with 23 percent, followed by general expenses at 18 percent.”
These were followed by medical treatment allowances, defaulters’ assistance, and kafarat, or expiation allowances.