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Eng. Zainab Al Dhanhani 

Primary Representative

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Mr. Ahmed Al Kalbani

Alternate Representative

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Mr. Joe Cerrell

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Mr. James Carty

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Dr. Hiba Ahmed

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Mr. Khemais El Gazzah

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Eng. Ahmed Al Baiz

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Mr. Sultan Al Aseeri

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Dr. Mansur Muhtar

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Mr. Anasse Aissami

Board

Our decisional Impact Committee

Dr. Bandar M. H. Hajjar

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Dr. Waleed Ahmad J. Addas

Head of the LLF Management Unit

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Dr. Mohammed Umer Mir

Operations Lead

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Mr. Shakir Jasat

Accounting and Financial Reporting Lead

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Mr. Abdulkarem Mahmoud Rizk

IT Corporate Support

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Ms. Munazza Siddiqui 

Communications Specialist

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Mr. Hardi Bakari Nyari

Results-Based Management Specialist

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Ms. Tania Nader

Communications Expert

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Mr. Javed Khan Saif Ur Rehman

Agriculture Development Specialist

Management Unit 

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Each partner brings their unique capabilities to the fund, creating a powerful alliance with the skills and expertise to drive economic growth and raise living standards of the most vulnerable.

Our donors

A powerful alliance bringing unique skills and capabilities

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Approach

The largest development initiative of its kind in the Middle East

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A collaborative alliance

About us

**Abu Dhabi, UAE. April 23, 2023**

The UAE has committed US$50 million to the second phase of the Lives and Livelihoods Fund 2.0 (LLF 2.0), a major multi-donor development initiative that supports Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) member countries in building sustainable pathways to lift millions out of poverty

The funding will be deployed by LLF 2.0 in support of critical projects in health and infectious diseases, agriculture, and social infrastructure in low and lower-middle income IsDB member countries. In addition to targeting root causes of poverty, food insecurity, and poor health outcomes, the investments aim to support 32 member countries to achieve 10 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The financing will be administered by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and is in addition to the US$50 million the UAE has contributed to the LLF since its launch in 2016. 

The announcement was made today during the AVPN Global Conference 2024 in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council. 

Addressing the commitment, His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the funding emphasized the UAE’s commitment to working with partners to uplift countries and communities worldwide.  

He said: “Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, we are committed to supporting sustainable development solutions that save and improve lives, drive equitable economic growth, and enable countries to thrive. Through this partnership, the UAE furthers its efforts to alleviate poverty and to support countries in building resilient futures.”

He continued: “This contribution also reflects the UAE’s conviction that the greatest progress comes through like-minded collaboration. With the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of ADFD’s Board of Directors, we look forward to working closely with our partners in the Lives and Livelihoods Fund to advance global development goals.”

Established in 2016, LLF is a joint vision of the Islamic Development Bank, and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development, the King Salman Relief Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, and the Qatar Fund for Development.

LLF is the largest multilateral fund of its kind in the Middle East, focused on breaking down the barriers that prevent individuals, organizations, and governments in the lowest-income countries from obtaining the resources they need to lift themselves out of poverty. 

To achieve this, the Fund utilizes an innovative financing model that combines the grants of its donors with the lending capital of IsDB to provide concessional finance for much-needed development projects. This contributes to sustainable economic growth within countries, in turn helping to lift the most vulnerable out of poverty. 

H.E. Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, said: “LLF’s ongoing efforts to promote global wellbeing and stability in IsDB member countries reflects the UAE leadership’s commitment to supporting efforts to promote global prosperity and equality. 
“Through LLF 2.0, we will focus on climate-smart agriculture, primary care, underfunded social services, and infrastructure investment. Our blended finance model increases access to concessional financing to bridge investment gaps in meeting Sustainable Development Goals. LLF 2.0 will also optimize its anti-poverty focus, setting grant portions to enhance stability and transparency.”

The Fund in its first phase invested over US$1.4 billion across 22 IsDB member countries, enabling more than 3 million smallholder farmers to improve their productivity and livelihoods, providing access to quality healthcare for 12.5 million women and children, and is set to provide over 7.5 million people with better water and sanitation facilities. 

LLF 2.0 will put greater emphasis on climate adaptation efforts and the empowerment of women and girls, in recognition that climate change and gender inequality disproportionately impact the most vulnerable.

H.E. Dr Muhammad Al Jasser, President of IsDB, said: “We are deeply grateful for the UAE's longstanding support. Their initial role in establishing the LLF in 2016, combined with their continued generosity, has been instrumental in fostering human development in our poorest member countries.”

Dr Al Jasser continued: “The LLF provides vital support for vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, empowering them to escape poverty and reach their full potential. This renewed commitment will allow us to mobilize even more resources and build upon the LLF's proven success stories. Together, under this unique partnership, we can make significant strides towards achieving the critical goals of socio-economic development.” 

Looking forward, Dr Al Jasser stressed the power of collaboration. “This renewed pledge strengthens the IsDB's ambitious development plans," he concluded. "By working together, we can overcome rising challenges and achieve the noble goals of socio-economic development.”

LLF 2.0 was launched in May 2023. At launch, the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development committed US$150 million to the Fund, while the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced its commitment to pledge 20% of the total granted by donors to the LLF, up to US$100 million.

**ENDS **

**NOTES TO EDITORS**

**About Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)**

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) is a leading national entity for economic development aid owned by the Abu Dhabi government. Established in 1971, it aims to help emerging countries by providing concessionary loans to finance sustainable development projects as well as administer long-term investments and direct contributions. 

In addition to managing development grants offered by the Abu Dhabi government, ADFD has adopted a policy of supporting the national economy and financing UAE private-sector investments. Since its inception, ADFD has marked developmental milestones in 106 developing countries. Spanning the last 35 years, the Fund's development projects and investments, valued at AED216 billion have helped the international community achieve sustainable economic growth, as well as drive the implementation of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

**About the Lives and Livelihoods Fund**

The Lives and Livelihoods Fund launched in 2016 as a joint vision of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Islamic Development Bank, the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, and the Qatar Foundation Fund for Development. It has since played an active role in breaking down the barriers that prevent individuals, organizations, and governments in the lowest-income countries from obtaining the resources they need to lift themselves out of poverty.

The Fund has identified three key areas where it can make a sustainable impact for millions of people using its innovative approach to funding.

- Health: LLF has funded 15 projects that strengthen primary healthcare systems, combat infectious diseases including malaria and polio, and support routine immunization. Its healthcare funding contribution has amounted to US$681 million.
- Agriculture: Food security is a key challenge in the countries the Fund supports. LLF has focused its efforts on helping smallholder farmers increase their production of livestock and staple crops. The Fund has to date supported 17 projects across 13 countries.
- Basic Infrastructure: The realization that the dearth of infrastructure across beneficiary markets has prevented the most vulnerable communities from connecting to resources has driven the Fund’s focus on bringing power, sanitation, and financial inclusion to rural areas.

The Fund currently supports 37 projects in 22 countries in Asia, MENA and Africa and is contributing to meeting 9 of the 17 SDGs. To date, LLF has committed a total of US$1.43 billion to support governments in IsDB member countries to meet their national priorities.


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UAE announces US$50 million commitment to the Lives and Livelihoods Fund 2.0 to advance sustainable economic development in IsDB member countries 

Latest updates

Looking out the window, Ayesha wakes up every day with a new dream, new hope.

#### Dive into the world of Ayesha Reza, a courageous polio survivor, who is committed to eradicating the virus from the lives of under-5 children in Pakistan.

Lahore – the legendary city of conquering emperors and one of the last vestiges of Mughal culture and grandeur, echoing through a 30-feet high gigantic wall and thirteen gates that surround the old city.

One of these gates lead out into a suburb town of Ghaziabad where the protagonist of our story – Ayesha Reza – lives with her husband and daughter. 

To meet this brave polio survivor and follow her journey as a dedicated polio health worker, we squeezed through a honeycomb of narrow and cacophonous streets of Ghaziabad. Greeted by the quintessential sight of careless bikers, carefree children, loafing dogs, and hungry cats, we reached a solitary two-storey house in a dead-end street.

![Ayesha Stepping out of the gate.jpg](https://llf-content-cdn.azureedge.net/llfcms/assets/Ayesha_Stepping_out_of_the_gate_4ddcf550ef.jpg)
Despite her physical limitations, Ayesha makes sure that she does not miss a single day at work.  

“Walking down these busy bustling streets is a way of life for me. I get ready for work every day by 7:30 am, slightly earlier if it’s the immunization day,” Ayesha told smilingly in her open-air veranda.

It was the summer of 1988 when Ayesha, only two years old, woke up with high grade fever and terrible weakness in her left leg. Considering it a common occurrence among children of her age, Ayesha’s parents treated her with regular over-the-counter medicines and herbal teas.


But when the stubborn fever refused to subside, leaving Ayesha’s left limb weaker than before, her father rushed her to a nearby hospital, without suspecting the chance of a life-threatening disease hitting his daughter. After medical tests, Ayesha was diagnosed with polio.

"My parents had not heard of polio before. In 1988 the awareness about polio was almost non-existent. There was no vaccine either. But when the doctor explained it to my parents, they were obviously very worried. I’m sure they couldn't bear the thought of their daughter unable to walk normally for the rest of his life," Ayesha said.

Ayesha was completely paralyzed in the beginning but with available treatment she gained some stability and strength at the age of 5. She started her schooling at the age of 6, but her mother's failing health forced her to discontinue her education beyond matric.

![Childhood Photos.png](https://llf-content-cdn.azureedge.net/llfcms/assets/Childhood_Photos_bfaa851b13.png)
Ayesha flashbacks at her childhood that was different from the rest of her siblings and children in the family and neighborhood.  

Ayesha, now 38, grew up facing discrimination and jeering remarks because of her unusual walking style, but she stood her ground and pushed ahead. Ayesha recalls, “Growing up with polio is not easy for any child. Besides being physically dependent on others, this disease breaks you emotionally and spiritually too. But now I’ve learnt to use it as my strength.”

A part-time seamstress, Ayesha found her true calling after marriage in 2013 when her father-in-law showed her openings in the Punjab Health Department. She immediately applied and was inducted into the Dengue Surveillance Team and later made it as a polio vaccinator.

Pakistan is one of the two South Asian countries where children below five are at risk of contracting the debilitating, highly infectious polio virus that can lead to paralysis and death. The massive polio eradication program, constituting country wide campaigns spearheaded by nearly 300,000 health workers and vaccinators, is one of the largest public health programs in the world that is tackling the global emergency of polio virus head-on.

The Islamic Development Bank and its donor partners such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Islamic Solidarity Fund, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre and Qatar Fund for Development, are playing a pivotal role in the Polio Eradication Initiative by the Government of Pakistan.

With critical polio financing, worth US$ 160 million, through the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, these global partners have brought over 500 million oral poliovirus vaccines (OPVs) for 43 million under-five children to their doorstep. The assistance has also set vital immunization and awareness raising activities in motion throughout the country.

![Ayesha waiting outside the house.jpg](https://llf-content-cdn.azureedge.net/llfcms/assets/Ayesha_waiting_outside_the_house_76c800f768.jpg)
One family at a time: Ayesha’s work motto as she waits outside a house during door-to-door polio vaccination campaign.

“I go from house-to-house raising awareness about polio and vaccinating children under the age of five,” tells Ayesha. “The bulk of my work is debunking old wives’ tales about polio vaccines. Parents are always hesitant, but sometimes they get aggressive, and for our safety and security we call in senior officials and police.”

![Child Vaccination Photos.png](https://llf-content-cdn.azureedge.net/llfcms/assets/Child_Vaccination_Photos_8e3faeded0.png)
Children receiving free polio vaccine from their favorite Aunty Ayesha in the street. 

“A lot of time I use my condition to demonstrate to parents what their children might suffer if they don’t get them vaccinated on time. I tell them how my body has weakened over the time despite treatment. I cannot walk or stand for lengthy hours as I fall; this has affected my right knee. It is not easy to present yourself as an example, but I do not mind doing it if it makes a difference in the lives of our children,” Ayesha continues. 

![Ayesha with her daughter on bed.jpg](https://llf-content-cdn.azureedge.net/llfcms/assets/Ayesha_with_her_daughter_on_bed_e61b9f528a.jpg)

As Ayesha forayed into motherhood after a 11-year long wait, her struggle and commitment got a new meaning. The three-month old Umme Aiman has taught her to be more patient and empathetic towards parents, especially mothers, who are reluctant to get their kids vaccinated.

“As a mother, I’m thankful to Islamic Development Bank and LLF for providing us with vaccines and saving our future generations from lifelong disability and dysfunction,” concludes Ayesha with a smile in her eyes.

![Register 2.png](https://llf-content-cdn.azureedge.net/llfcms/assets/Register_2_7fa0568905.png)

At work, ‘Tikoo’ – vaccination mascot - is Ayesha’s best friend that keeps her daughter and other children protected from fatal diseases. 

Ayesha Reza is one of the 300,000 stories of inspiration, courage, and grit. Our frontline health workers and vaccinators are heroically driving the polio eradication program forward. A marked increase in vaccination rates, community awareness levels, and general trust in the local healthcare system are direct results of their efforts. 


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We are funding programs that combat infectious diseases, such as malaria and polio, ensure routine immunization, and strengthen primary health-care systems. 

Healthcare

THE CHASE

World Health Day

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Lives and Livelihoods Fund is a joint vision of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and other development cooperation partners aimed at raising the poorest out of poverty in IsDB member countries.

The Lives and Livelihoods Fund enables member countries to invest in themselves by providing concessional financing for projects with high human development impact.

Focus

The portfolio of projects approved by the LLF from 2016 to 2020 is already transforming thousands of lives and livelihoods.

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Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser is the Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group, and President of the Islamic Development Bank.

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Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser

President of the Islamic Development Bank

Eng. Ahmed Al Baiz is the representative of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre and has been the Chairman of the Impact Committee (LLF Board) since May 2023.

Eng. Ahmed Al Baiz 

Chair of the LLF Impact Committee

Leadership

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UAE announces US$50 million commitment to the Lives and Livelihoods Fund 2.0 to advance sustainable economic development in IsDB member countries

23, April 2024

Latest updates

Latest updates

UAE announces US$50 million commitment to the Lives and Livelihoods Fund 2.0 to advance sustainable economic development in IsDB member countries

23, April 2024

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A collaborative alliance

The largest development initiative of its kind in the Middle East

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Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser

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