Noor Dubai Foundation
Noor Dubai Foundation is a UAE based charity focused on the prevention of blindness and visual impairment globally. It was launched as an initiative in 2008 by the Vice president and Prime Minister of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and was later established as an NGO by Law in October 2010. Since its launch, over 33 million individuals from all over Africa and Asia have benefited from the Foundation’s free treatment and preventive programs, which includes provision of surgeries, eyeglasses, medication and health awareness and training programs. In addition to providing treatment, preventive, and educational programs, the Foundation aims to empower communities by overcoming the burden and devastating impact of blindness on everyday lives. As the international community is committed to fighting visual impairment, the issue remains prevalent with the latest statistics indicating globally around 295 million people suffer from visual impairment, 90% of it is curable or avoidable and more than 90% of the world's visually impaired live in developing countries. As a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives foundation (MBRGI) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), Noor Dubai continues to strive towards fulfilling a vision of a world free from preventable forms of blindness.