In a remarkable display of humanitarian vision, the Noor Dubai Foundation has made a profound impact on global eye health, benefitting over 33 million people since its inception in 2008. Launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the foundation embodies the UAE’s commitment to eliminating avoidable blindness and supporting underserved communities.
Operating under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) umbrella, Noor Dubai has extended its mission to regions where visual impairment is not only a health issue but a contributor to poverty and social inequality. Its work spans across Africa and Asia, with large-scale initiatives in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan, and Bangladesh.
Fighting Trachoma in Ethiopia
In Ethiopia’s Amhara region—one of the most affected by trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness—Noor Dubai treated 16 million people through its Trachoma Elimination Programme. The program distributed 87 million doses of antibiotics, performed over 356,000 eye surgeries, and trained nearly 50,000 health workers and 37,000 teachers, while also building 300,000+ latrines to improve hygiene and reduce transmission.
Empowering Women Through Vision in Bangladesh
A five-year partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation is addressing diabetic retinopathy and refractive errors in Barishal, Bangladesh, benefiting 75,000 adults and children. The project also supports women-led eye care businesses, creating jobs while delivering essential services. An estimated four million people will be reached through awareness and outreach initiatives.
Eye Health at Home and Abroad
Noor Dubai’s mobile eye camps have conducted tens of thousands of eye examinations and surgeries both internationally and in the UAE. In Sudan’s Khartoum, a 2020 eye camp provided cataract surgeries to 500 patients, while educational sessions spread awareness about COVID-19 and eye health.
Back home in Dubai, the Foundation spearheaded the Dubai Eye Health Survey, gathering critical data from over 2,000 residents aged 40 and above. The initiative is vital in shaping future healthcare policies and strategies for visual impairment prevention in the emirate.
Sustainable Vision for the Future
Dr. Manal Taryam, CEO of Noor Dubai Foundation, emphasized that restoring a person’s sight does more than just help an individual—it uplifts entire families, protects futures, and reduces poverty. “We aim to rehabilitate and empower individuals affected by visual impairment, enabling them to contribute actively to society,” she said.
With continuous partnerships with organizations like The Carter Center, Noor Dubai applies the SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvements) endorsed by the World Health Organization to combat preventable blindness.
A Global Humanitarian Force
From distributing 14.5 million doses of antibiotics in a single year to educating millions on eye health, Noor Dubai is more than a charity—it is a global movement. Backed by the UAE’s vision for a healthier world, the foundation is a beacon of hope for those living in the shadows of blindness.
As Noor Dubai prepares to expand its reach in the coming years, it continues to prove that restoring sight is not only a medical mission—it’s a humanitarian one that transforms lives, families, and entire communities.
