The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Al Ansari Exchange, a UAE-based foreign exchange and global money transfer company, have pledged $10 million (approximately Dh36.7 million) to support humanitarian healthcare programmes in the Middle East and Africa region through the foundation's matching programme.

The announcement was made during a meeting in Dubai between Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation, and Mohamed Ali Al Ansari, chairman of Al Ansari Exchange, to discuss the importance of supporting global efforts to improve healthcare and the critical role philanthropists play in powering such programmes in various parts of the world.

This commitment will focus on reducing health inequities by developing innovative tools and methods to lower the burden of neglected tropical illnesses, which affect over 1.7 billion people living in low-income areas across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

The END Fund will manage the 'Reaching the Last Mile Fund,' a multi-donor initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The pledge will also help to fund ongoing global polio eradication efforts. This collaboration can help millions of people live healthier lives and have better chances of escaping poverty by funding high-impact programmes with a track record of reaching some of the world's most difficult-to-reach populations.

"It's fantastic to see this cooperation with Al Ansari Exchange come to fruition," Gates remarked. We are committed to decreasing healthcare disparities as a group. I'm thrilled to resume our nearly decade-long relationship with Al Ansari Exchange as we work to eliminate neglected tropical diseases and eradicate polio."

"We always want to develop solid, long-term collaborations with foundations and institutions, as we recognise that consistency in strategy and direction is critical to seeing a beneficial impact on communities in need," Al Ansari added. We are honoured to have the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a global partner in this purpose, and we will continue to work together in the fight against poverty, sickness, and injustice around the world."