Medical Care & Research
Working to preserve and expand the collaborative relationship between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States (US).
King Hussein Cancer Foundation
There are few things more devastating than a cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, for some cancer patients, this devastation is heightened by the overwhelming financial burden that often comes with the cost of treatment. The King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF) is dedicated to fighting cancer and providing access to comprehensive treatments to those in need across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. In support of this lifesaving work, the Ambassador and his wife, Abeer, established the Abeer and Yousef Al Otaiba Goodwill Fund to benefit underprivileged children and refugee patients undergoing treatment at the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) in Amman, Jordan.
Global Polio Eradication Initiative
On behalf of the UAE, Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba has pledged more than $150 million to help eliminate polio, a debilitating and deadly disease. Although polio has declined significantly over the last hundred years, some countries have seen resurgence in recent years, including Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Syria. These funds help vaccination efforts and provide medical treatments for vulnerable children in the countries most at risk of spreading polio.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba worked diligently to provide humanitarian assistance and support to a number of public health initiatives across the United States. Yousef and his wife, Abeer, joined several high-profile donors in funding the Children’s National Hospital’s first drive-up COVID-19 test site in the early days of the pandemic. Recognizing the urgent need for emergency food relief, the Al Otaibas also donated to Good Food Markets (GFM), a grocery store in Washington, DC, distributing free groceries to local residents in need.
They also supported Feed the Fight, a grassroots organization delivering meals to first responders and healthcare workers in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. Outside of their local community, the Al Otaibas supported Chef Jose Andre’s World Central Kitchen (WCK) to assist with distributing more than 50,000 fresh meals to underprivileged communities every single day. During this time, the UAE also partnered with the US to distribute millions of coronavirus test kits across the nation and helped to facilitate one of the largest COVID-19 test sites in Las Vegas, NV, donating over 200,000 test kits.
Children’s National Medical Center
After their daughter experienced a life-threatening prenatal medical emergency, Yousef and Abeer Al Otaiba wanted to give back to the hospital that helped their family through an anxious and difficult time. In 2014, the Al Otaibas co-chaired the Children’s National Medical Center’s annual ball alongside Bret and Amy Baier. Together, the couples raised $10.9 million, the largest amount ever contributed to a charitable event in Washington, DC at the time. The following year, Yousef and Abeer received the Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Prize in Philanthropy, which is awarded to those who give back after going through a personal incident at the hospital.
Previously, the UAE provided $150 million to help create the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children’s National Hospital. This has helped to support the medical center’s mission to provide expert care and support for children, in addition to developing new treatments and specialty care techniques for child patients. In 2018, Ambassador Al Otaiba signed an agreement to solidify the relationship between Children’s National and the UAE.
