Philanthropy
Yousef Al Otaiba supports many charities and humanitarian aid organizations as both a private citizen and in his capacity as the UAE ambassador to the US. His contributions have focused primarily on helping healthcare institutions, community organizations, and disaster relief efforts in the United States and around the world.
Medical Care & Research
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
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. So in 2014, the Al Otaibas signed on as co-chairs, along with Bret and Amy Baier, of the medical organization’s annual Children’s Ball. Together, the couples raised $10.9 million, the most ever contributed to a charitable event in Washington, D.C. 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. In addition to providing expert care and support for children, the pediatric center is also a premier research institution for 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.
Global Polio Eradication Initiative
Sports & Community
Special Olympics
The Community Soccer Program
Disaster Recovery Efforts
Through Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba’s leadership, the UAE Embassy has facilitated grants to US communities that have suffered from natural disasters. Some of the areas benefiting from these relief efforts include Joplin, Missouri, which was devastated by a massive tornado in May 2011, the deadliest ever recorded; parts of New York and New Jersey affected by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012; Houston, Texas, which was flooded by Hurricane Harvey in 2017; and Jacksonville, Florida, which was ravaged by Hurricane Irma in September 2017.