National Bank of Fujairah enhances support for seafarers across the UAE
National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) PJSC today announced the donation of AED 150,000 to Mission to Seafarers (MtS), a charitable initiative dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of seafarers across the UAE and alleviating the hardships these endure at sea. Given the seafarers’ contribution to the local economy in Fujairah and beyond, this is the fifth consecutive year that the bank has pledged its support for this initiative.
Between 2007 and 2017, MtS has operated its boat service MV Flying Angel, the world’s only floating seafarers’ centre anchored off the coast of Fujairah. The mission has been successful seeing less need for its services in this area while witnessing a rising demand elsewhere. As such, MtS embarked on a strategic shift to widen its geographic footprint and cater to the seafarers’ needs across anchorages and ports in the UAE. In 2016, the Mission to Seafarers staff visited over 30,000 seafarers around the UAE, assisted 1,589 who were stranded without pay. Their ship in Fujairah visited 2,442 crews offshore and the team distributed over 10,000 aid packages across the country.
“We are extremely proud to continue our long-standing association with the Mission to Seafarers given the critical role it plays in supporting seafarers that are in much need of some basic comforts given the rigours of their daily lives,” said Vince Cook, NBF’s CEO He added: “It also showcases our ongoing endeavours to supporting a significant sector of the economy and our commitment towards supporting Fujairah’s progress. We look forward to continuing our association with MtS in the years to come and remain dedicated to its vital mission.”
Since 2012, NBF has contributed AED 800,000 in total to the organisation, and it is part of a number of initiatives the bank has undertaken to support its home Emirate over the years. The bank recently announced AED 50,000 in support of the Emirates Wildlife Society, an arrangement that would see NBF’s ATM network being used to raise awareness of conservation efforts for the Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah