As part of its partnership with United Nations High Commissioner for refugees (UNHCR), ride-hailing app Careem has announced that it will match donations collected to help refugees during the holy month of Ramadan.

Making the announcement through Facebook Live, Bassel Al Nahlaoui, vice-president, business development and government relations at Careem, said the initiative will allow Dubai riders to donate to refugees every time they use the app, with the company matching those donations.

The company had earlier launched its UNHCR car in Dubai to allow passengers to donate and support refugees and displaced persons in the Mena region. Dubai residents can donate funds to provide aid and assistance to refugees by selecting the UNHCR car option when booking through a Careem ride where a Dh3 donation will be automatically added to each economy fare rate trip for Dubai.

All proceeds raised in the initiative will be sent to the UNHCR to assist with the organisation's refugee aid programmes.

During Ramadan, Careem will match the total amount of donations to help with the refugee crisis.

Al Nahlaoui said total number of donations will be announced throughout Ramadan.

"Five years ago, we launched Careem during Ramadan to give back and solve the problem of commute. Now we are facing a bigger problem: The refugee crisis. It is time for us to give back," he said.

"Donations will go to the region's refugees. We are focusing on camp locations in Jordan, Beirut, Egypt and Turkey."

There are currently over 16.7 million refugees and internally displaced persons in the region. About 79 per cent of world's refugees reside in low-income countries in the Middle East and over half of them are children.

Al Nahlaoui added people will be able to see their donations in action.

"Once completed, we will disclose a full report as well as next steps," he said.

"We encourage everyone to donate in any way possible, through us and/or through the UNHCR or other legal entities. We developed the UNHCR car type to provide a simple means to help our customers donate," said Al Nahlaoui.

Source: Khaleej Times