National Bank of Fujairah partners Emirates Wildlife Society in preservation of Wadi Wurayah National Park

National Bank of Fujairah has entered into a partnership with the Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF, the global conservation body (EWS-WWF), that will see the bank supporting conservation efforts for the Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah. 

NBF will utilise its ATM network to raise awareness and funds for the conservation of Wadi Wurayah by encouraging customers to donate one dirham whenever they withdraw cash from the bank’s ATMs. Such donations are entirely voluntary and will be reflected in the final balances of ATM receipts issued after each cash withdrawal, as well as in customers’ end-of-month account statements.   

Spanning over 200 square kilometres and home to over 500 rare and endangered species, Wadi Wurayah has been designated an area of ecological significance by the Fujairah government. EWS-WWF has been appointed by the government of Fujairah to establish the area as a national park and spearhead conservation efforts to appropriately preserve this unique site. 

Alan Maitland Smith, Head of Internal Audit and Chairman of NBF’s CSR Committee, says that the bank’s support for the Wadi Wurayah National Park reaffirms NBF’s belief in making a positive impact in the communities where it does business. 

 “Creating a sustainable future lies at the heart of what we do as an organisation, whether it is through our tailored approach towards cultivating long term client relationships, our commitment towards developing human capital within NBF and the advancement of the interests of our shareholders as well as the local community. So when we found out that there is an area of such ecological importance in our home emirate of Fujairah, we knew we had to help. 

 “We are pleased to embark on this noteworthy cause with EWF-WWS. Every dirham raised will foster deeper awareness of the importance of protecting natural treasures like the Wadi Wurayah National Park, and we hope to count on our customers for their kind support as we work towards preserving our scarce resources for future generations.” 

Nicolas Delaunay, Director of Business Development and Marketing at EWS-WWF said: “We are very grateful for the support afforded by the National Bank of Fujairah in offering its customers the chance to contribute to conservation efforts in the UAE. Through this initiative, the bank’s customers will help protect the rich biodiversity of Wadi Wurayah National Park, thereby playing a part in EWS-WWF’s long-term efforts in creating a more sustainable future through the reduction of our ecological footprint and the effects of climate change.” 

NBF has been a strong proponent of socially-conscious efforts in its home emirate, which ranges from ongoing sponsorship of the Angel Appeal, an NGO that supports seafarers off the eastern coast of the UAE, to providing financial support and internship opportunities to the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) Fujairah.