September 2 2014

SOS Children’s Villages International opens Gulf Area Office in Dubai

SOS Children’s Villages International opens Gulf Area Office in Dubai The federation of SOS Children’s Villages has expanded its operations to the Gulf region, with the aim of raising support within the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman for SOS Children’s Villages’ work in the region and worldwide.

2 September 2014 - The SOS Children’s Villages International Gulf Area Office opened its doors in Dubai this June.

Dr. Wilfried Vyslozil, a chair member of HGFD, an SOS Children’s Villages member association in Germany, said: “Bridges between the Arab world and the SOS family are so much needed. Through the Gulf Area Office we have one more very relevant bridge to that region – over to new public partners, foundations and corporates.”
 

The Managing Director of the SOS Children's Villages International Gulf Area Office is Nicole Nassar, who has worked with SOS Children’s Villages for over 15 years and is an expert in the field of public funding and international partnership building.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for SOS Children’s Villages to raise its profile in an important part of the world and consequently also increase our total funding income, in particular for the Middle East countries,” she said. “We can proudly show and share our experience as childcare experts and build partnerships with governments, wealthy individuals, companies and foundations.”

Rounding out Ms Nassar's team are Rula Karahamad, Community Engagement & Communication Manager; Sheerin Dariani, Corporate Partnership Manager, and Subash Gautam, Administration Officer.
 

Ms Karahamad has worked for SOS Children’s Villages International and SOS Children’s Villages Syria from 2007-2011; Ms Dariani has a private-sector background, including handling CSR for multinational clients and consulting for UNICEF's Gulf Region office.
 

 

Mr Gautam also has unique understanding of SOS Children's Villages' work: “I know the huge impact the SOS movement has brought to many children and young adults around the globe as I have lived this experience myself being brought up in SOS Children’s Villages Nepal. I am really happy to be able to work for this global movement now and give back to the organisation”.

The SOS Children's Villages International Gulf Area Office is registered at the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, a hub for international and local NGOs, UN organisations and companies related to the humanitarian sector.