The UAE’s $98 Billion Legacy: Transforming Lives Through Global Humanitarian Aid
One small Gulf nation established in 1971 is growing and setting example of harmony, peace, care, brotherhood. This small nation is the UAE, it has donated over $98.09 billion in humanitarian aid. This large amount of aid is reflecting nation’s unwavering commitment to global well-being. As a leader in international aid the UAE has continually extended support to countries and communities in need. Its contributions span disaster relief, development aid, and education, making a profound impact worldwide.
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) UAE has rank on top among the list largest providers of official development assistance (ODA) relative to national income worldwide. In the year of 2021 to 2022 UAE has provided over $3.5 billion in foreign aid.
Diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Dr. Anwar Gargash, said, “The humanitarian work in the UAE is a fundamental pillar of the philanthropic approach adopted by the state since its establishment.”
On September 5, 2024, the UAE observed International Charity Day alongside other member nations, celebrating its role in fostering global solidarity.
Why Does the UAE Provide Aid?
The humanitarian outreach of UAE is driven by many objectives:
| – Assisting people in poverty |
| – Providing disaster relief |
| – Supporting developmental projects in underdeveloped nations |
| – Maintaining peace and security globally |
The dedication to helping others started and continues to grow every year by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE, and is continued today by President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
In the journey of “one globe” UAE had Initiated many humanitarian projects to help others.
The UAE has introduced many large-scale projects to aid communities across the globe. Here’s a look at some of the UAE’s notable humanitarian projects over the years:
| Project | Year | Focus |
| Yemen We Care | 2015 | Support for war-affected civilians in Yemen |
| For Your Sake, Somalia | 2017 | Famine relief in Somalia |
| Rohingya Women & Children | 2019 | Aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh |
| Warm Winter | 2022 | Assistance to refugees across multiple countries |
| Bridges of Giving | 2023 | Earthquake relief in Syria and Turkey |
| Tarahum For Gaza | 2023 | Humanitarian assistance to Gaza during the recent conflict |
The aid and projects have not ended here, there are a lot of new humanitarian initiatives.
The UAE continues to expand its global aid efforts through three major new initiatives: Zayed Humanitarian Legacy, MZB Water Initiative, and Dubai Cares Education Fund.
These initiatives show the dedication of the UAE to global aid and its commitment to improving the quality of life.
Also Read | UAE’s New Plan to Stop Money Laundering and Terrorism Funding
The UAE has played a significant role in transforming the lives of millions across the globe. With the help of UAE embassy data we are listing few of them:
Since 2021, Yemen has been the largest recipient of UAE aid, receiving over $435 million, with a total of $6 billion in assistance since 2015. In April 2022, the UAE pledged $2 billion to support Yemen’s economy, while also providing $100 million in humanitarian aid to Ukrainian civilians. The UAE sent relief planes to Ukrainian refugees and established an air bridge to Pakistan, delivering $13.6 million in aid for flood victims. Additionally, the UAE dispatched aid ships and sent medical supplies to assist earthquake victims in Afghanistan, demonstrating its commitment to global humanitarian efforts.
Commitment of UAE to Future Humanitarian Efforts:
UAE has set clear goals for its future humanitarian activities that emphasize the commitment to improve lives across the globe.
The contributions of UAE over $98 billion have helped rebuild communities, empower individuals, and promote global peace.
