National Bank of Fujairah renews support for seafarers through The Angel Appeal

National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) PJSC announced the donation of

AED 150, 000 to The Angel Appeal, a charitable initiative supporting seafarers anchored off the coast of Fujairah. This is the fourth consecutive year that the bank has reiterated its commitment to the relief programme, further underscoring its ongoing support of the local community.

The Angel Appeal is an initiative led by Mission to Seafarers, an organisation that provides welfare and emergency support services to sailors worldwide. NBF’s contributions will go towards operating the “Flying Angel”, a vessel that sails up to ships anchored off the Fujairah coast offering facilities ranging from Internet access to counselling sessions with chaplains. The Flying Angel receives over 75 seafarers a day, or more than 2,000 in a given month, each of them no doubt enjoying the respite it provides from the rigours of life at sea.

Huda Al Khalsan, Chairperson of the bank’s CSR committee said: “We are pleased to play an ongoing role in The Angel Appeal’s efforts at providing relief to seafarers. Not only does this sponsorship underscore our commitment towards making a difference in our home emirate, it helps us to recognise the tireless workers who have contributed to Fujairah’s success as a world-class oil bunkering hub and seaport. We are proud of our ongoing partnership with The Angel Appeal, and hope that NBF’s contribution will go a long way towards improving the lives of seafarers in Fujairah.”

Dr. Paul Burt, Director, Mission to Seafarers, UAE, said: “The east coast of the UAE has naturally deep harbours and a superb location, making it a good anchorage for over 100 tankers that sail through the Strait of Hormuz every day. As a result, we have a large community of seafarers that often require support given the difficulties they face and isolation experienced while being out at sea and away from their loved ones.

“We are therefore immensely grateful to National Bank of Fujairah for their ongoing commitment to our vital mission. NBF’s generosity is keenly felt within the Angel Appeal team and we intend to put it to good use addressing the difficulties that many sailors and their families go through. We look forward to building on our partnership with NBF in the years to come and further generating greater awareness for this important initiative.”  

In addition to financing key infrastructure projects and championing Fujairah’s role as a leading oil bunkering hub and seaport, NBF’s community efforts include supporting Fujairah’s Higher Colleges of Technology in its talent development efforts and providing financial support to the Fujairah Welfare Association. The bank also extended its partnership this year with the Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF), 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.