In a modest office in Abu Dhabi, far removed from the frontlines of conflict, a dedicated team works tirelessly to bring hope and healing to places torn apart by war. The UAE-based NGO Relief Hands International (RHI) is not just offering aid—it’s building futures, one act of compassion at a time.
Founded in 2012, RHI has steadily grown into one of the most impactful humanitarian organizations operating in crisis zones. While many NGOs focus solely on emergency relief, RHI takes a long-term view: empowering communities to rebuild from within. From Yemen and Syria to Sudan and the Palestinian territories, the organization is creating tangible, life-altering change.
A Mission Beyond Borders
The driving philosophy behind RHI is simple yet powerful—“serve where the need is greatest.” With this in mind, the NGO has reached hundreds of thousands of people living in conflict-affected regions, delivering not just food and medicine, but dignity and opportunity.
Mariam Al Mazrouei, the Emirati founder of the organization, believes that humanitarian work should go beyond temporary fixes. “We’re not here to drop aid and leave. We’re here to listen, to learn, and to walk alongside communities as they reclaim their lives,” she says.
What sets RHI apart is its deeply human approach. It works closely with local partners and community leaders to ensure that interventions are respectful of cultural nuances and designed for long-term impact. Whether it’s a mobile clinic in a bombed-out village or a trauma recovery center in a refugee camp, every project starts with listening to what people actually need.
Reaching Yemen’s Most Isolated Villages
One of the most high-impact initiatives RHI operates is its Mobile Medical Convoy program in Yemen. Entire regions of the country have been cut off from basic healthcare due to years of conflict and infrastructural collapse. RHI’s mobile clinics are a lifeline—staffed by volunteer medical professionals and equipped to handle everything from emergency surgery to maternal health care.
In the remote district of Al-Hudaydah, 42-year-old Khalid remembers the day the convoy rolled into his village. “We had no doctor, no pharmacy, and people were dying of preventable diseases,” he recalls. “They brought us medicine, but more importantly, they brought us hope.”
Each convoy typically serves around 1,000 people during a mission cycle, with services ranging from immunizations and diagnostics to minor surgeries and psychosocial counseling. In the past year alone, more than 80,000 Yemenis have received care through this program.
Women Reclaiming Their Power
In conflict zones, women are often the most affected and the least empowered. RHI has made it a core mission to change that narrative through its Women First initiative. Launched in 2020, the program supports women in rebuilding their lives through mental health support, skills training, and small business funding.
In a Syrian refugee camp near the Lebanese border, a community of women has started a small cooperative that produces handmade soaps and textiles. With training and startup grants provided by RHI, many of these women have become primary breadwinners for their families.
A mother of four, 36-year-old Layla says the program gave her more than financial support—it restored her identity. “Before the war, I was a teacher. I lost everything, including my self-worth. Now, I run a business and mentor other women. I feel strong again.”
By focusing on women’s empowerment, RHI is not only helping individuals recover, but also strengthening entire communities. Research consistently shows that women reinvest the majority of their income back into their families, creating a ripple effect of resilience and stability.
Educating the Lost Generation
One of the most profound consequences of war is the disruption of education. In many conflict zones, schools are damaged or completely destroyed, leaving children with no place to learn. RHI has responded with an innovative solution—Pop-Up Classrooms.
These mobile educational units are designed to adapt to volatile environments. Whether in a refugee settlement or a recently liberated village, the classrooms are set up within days and offer both academic and psychological support to children.
In northern Syria, a pop-up classroom run by RHI now serves more than 150 students. Twelve-year-old Fatima had never stepped inside a classroom before she joined. Today, she’s among the top performers and dreams of becoming a doctor.
“These children have seen more than they should. But when they sit in a classroom, even one made of fabric and poles, they begin to heal. Education gives them a sense of normalcy and hope,” says an RHI field educator.
Nourishing Bodies, Healing Spirits
Another hallmark of RHI’s work is its emphasis on dignity in aid. Rather than creating dependency, the organization focuses on turning aid into opportunity. In Sudan, where civil conflict has displaced thousands, RHI recently established a community-run kitchen that feeds over 500 people daily.
What’s unique about the kitchen is that it is entirely operated by refugees themselves. Staffed by displaced teachers, chefs, and students, it has become more than a food center—it’s a hub of resilience.
Rahma, a former school principal and now the kitchen manager, says, “We’re not just feeding people. We’re giving them a place to belong again. We cook together, eat together, and dream together.”
In a similar spirit, RHI’s food distribution programs are designed around dignity. Food baskets are tailored to cultural preferences, and families are involved in the process, making it feel more like community support than charity.
Funded by Compassion
Much of RHI’s work is made possible through grassroots support within the UAE. Schools hold regular fundraisers, youth volunteer programs are oversubscribed, and many Emirati families donate a portion of their monthly income to the organization’s efforts.
Corporate partners have also stepped up, supporting everything from clean water initiatives to trauma centers. This local engagement not only sustains RHI’s programs but also deepens the culture of giving that is so integral to the UAE’s identity.
“We see ourselves as a bridge between those who want to help and those who desperately need it,” says founder Mariam Al Mazrouei. “And that bridge must be strong, transparent, and built on trust.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, RHI has ambitious plans. The organization is preparing to launch new operations in Afghanistan and Somalia, and it’s developing a digital mental health platform to provide trauma support in regions where in-person services are impossible.
There’s also a vision to create a regional training institute in the UAE where young professionals can learn humanitarian skills—from emergency response to sustainable development. By investing in the next generation of aid workers, RHI hopes to amplify its impact exponentially.
“What we’ve learned over the years is that humanitarian work is not just about reacting to crises. It’s about preventing them. It’s about building communities that can weather storms and stand tall again,” says Al Mazrouei.
In a world often overwhelmed by bad news, RHI’s story is a powerful reminder that change is still possible. From the deserts of Yemen to the hills of Sudan, the organization is sowing seeds of hope—and those seeds are beginning to bloom.
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