UNHCR grants the title of Humanitarian Champion to UAE’s Juma Al Majid

DUBAI, 2nd March 2016 (WAM) --- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has named Juma Al Majid, Chairman of the Dubai Economic Council and Founder of Juma Al Majid Group, the title of "UNHCR Humanitarian Champion", in recognition of his humanitarian efforts and charitable activities over five decades. Juma Al Majid is the founder and chairman of the Juma Al Majid Group of companies. Juma Al Majid partnership ventures operate in the fields of shipping, construction, food-imports, general trading, travel and other industries. In total, the Group comprises more than 40 companies across the world. He previously held the position of Deputy Chairman of the UAE Central Bank, and is currently the Chairman of the Dubai Economic Council, the Founder and President of Juma AI Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage, Founder and President of the Islamic and Arabic Studies College in Dubai and Chairman of Beit Al Khair Society. On behalf of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, Director of UNHCR’s Bureau for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Refugee Coordinator for the Syria and Iraq situations, Amin Awad, presented Juma Al Majid with the award in a ceremony organised by the Juma Al Majid Group in the presence of Dr. Abdullah Al-Matouq, Advisor to the Amir of Kuwait, Chairman of the International Islamic Charitable Organisations (IICO) and UN Secretary General’s Humanitarian Envoy. Commenting on the importance of his philanthropic work, Amin Awad stated: "We appreciate Mr Juma Al Majid’s ongoing efforts in support of UNHCR's humanitarian activities in the Middle East and North Africa." Juma Al Majid’s recognition comes as the MENA region witnesses an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, particularly in light of the situations in Syria, Iraq and Yemen which have displaced millions of people. Director of UNHCR’s Bureau for the Middle East and North Africa added: "We look forward to our future engagement and collaboration with Juma Al Majid and his charities in order to provide assistance to the greatest number of persons of concern to UNHCR." Established in December 1950, UNHCR is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or resettle in a third country. It also has a mandate to help stateless people and is often called on to help people displaced within their own countries. The agency, which has a staff of some 9,300 people in more than 120 countries, has helped tens of millions of people. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395292255813.html