Credit Card Users Boost Access to Life-Saving Child Immunizations

Dubai, UAE: NajmCredit card users throughout the UAE have collectively contributed almost AED 460,000 toward immunizing children in developing countries as part of a collaboration by Majid Al Futtaim Finance, a leading credit and prepaid cards provider, and the GAVI Alliance.  With 1% of all transactions over AED 2000 on all Najm credit cards donated by Majid Al Futtaim Finance throughout the holy month of Ramadan, close to AED 460,000 has been put towards the full immunization of up to 5,000 children in some of the world’s most needy markets.

The GAVI Alliance is an international public-private partnership which brings together developing countries and donor governments:  World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, World Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the vaccine industry in both industrialized and developing countries, as well as other private sector partners to increase access to immunization in the world’s poorest countries.  Since it was launched in 2000, the GAVI Alliance has helped immunize more than 370 million children, 40% of whom live in Islamic countries, with new and underused vaccines, saving more than 5.5 million lives.

The funds raised by Majid Al Futtaim Finance for GAVI’s immunization initiatives include generous donations by the transfer of Najm cardholders’ loyalty programme rewards earlier this month.

“I would like to thank our customers for their valuable support for children in need of immunization, which demonstrates the compassion and strength of our community,” said Rasool Hujair, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Finance. “We’re committed to finding innovative and convenient ways to be responsible members of the United Arab Emirates, our region and wider world, and partnering with GAVI to immunize up to 5000 children is a key example.”

Increased credit card spending by individuals and families during the holy month of Ramadan ahead of the Eid and back-to-school period, as well as extended shopping hours, enabled the two organizations to meet their fundraising objectives in making a difference in the lives of children in need of life-saving immunizations.

“Thousands of children are benefitting from the power of immunization thanks to the generosity of Majid Al Futtaim Finance,” said GAVI Managing Director Hind Khatib-Othman. “This innovative financing partnership has enabled customers of Majid Al Futtaim Finance to support GAVI's mission of protecting children from killer diseases in the world's poorest countries with vaccines, including in the Middle East.”