Olena Zelenska Foundation and the United Arab Emirates Signed a New Agreement on Comprehensive Support for Projects in Ukraine

The Olena Zelenska Foundation and the UAE Aid Agency (United Arab Emirates) have signed a new cooperation agreement providing $5 million in funding for the implementation of social and humanitarian projects in Ukraine.

During the official visit of the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy to Ukraine, First Lady Olena Zelenska and the Foundation team visited a large foster family in the Kyiv region, for which a house was built a year ago with the support of the UAE under the Room for Childhood project. The family, which raises ten children, met with Reem Al Hashimy, sharing their story and how the new home has changed their lives.

“Together with our partners from the UAE, we are building effective cooperation that already delivers tangible results and truly changes the lives of children and families in Ukraine. We are grateful to the United Arab Emirates for their trust, consistent support, and sincere commitment to helping those who need it most,” said Olena Zelenska.

Following the meeting with the family, the official signing ceremony took place between the Olena Zelenska Foundation and the UAE Aid Agency. The document was signed by Nina Horbachova, Director of the Foundation, and His Excellency Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Vice Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency.

The new agreement extends the three-year strategic partnership between the Foundation and the UAE and covers three key areas of the Foundation’s work: development of family-based care; provision of psychosocial support to adolescents and youth; creation of safe learning environments, including the construction of shelters in schools and kindergartens.

“The new funding will allow us to expand work on important projects for families and children, as well as to launch new initiatives aimed at supporting and empowering young people,” said Nina Horbachova.

Through joint efforts with the UAE, several important initiatives have already been implemented:

Humanitarian support – ten houses have been built for large foster families from the Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kherson, and other frontline regions under the Room for Childhood project; ten more homes are currently under construction and will be completed next year.

Children’s access to education and development – 12,500 students from frontline regions have received laptops for learning, and around 20,000 children from vulnerable categories have been provided with school kits.

Healthcare – 50 ambulances have been delivered to medical workers in frontline regions, and three hospitals in the Kharkiv region have received modern medical equipment that helps save lives every day.