Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

UAE donates $11 billion in humanitarian assistance

For several years, the United Arab Emirate (UAE)’s global position in the humanitarian field has grown steadily, enhanced by its generous distribution of international aid. Take the country’s total foreign aid contributions in 2019 of more than $11 billion.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed

For several years, the United Arab Emirate (UAE)’s global position in the humanitarian field has grown steadily, enhanced by its generous distribution of international aid. Take the country’s total foreign aid contributions in 2019 of more than $11 billion.

While not surprising, this is a substantive indicator of the UAE’s dedication to improve lives. It is a principle attributed to the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, who believed that foreign aid and assistance were pillars of this country’s foreign policy.

For the sixth consecutive year, the UAE’s total international aid surpassed the 0.7 per cent of gross national income. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said: “This approach towards human development has been central under the leadership of [UAE President] Sheikh Khalifa, and it aims to improve the welfare of all mankind.”

The UAE has consistently topped the rankings of generous donor aid. In 2017, the UAE was the world’s largest donor of official development aid, relative to its national income when the country spent 1.31 per cent of its gross national income (GNI) on foreign developmental aid.

Between 2015 and 2018, the UAE has donated $2.78 billion in aid and reconstruction support to Yemen. Recently, the UAE announced a pledge of $500 million to the UN’s Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan for 2018. The pledge is part of a joint commitment of $930 million by the UAE and Saudi Arabia to provide funding for UN assistance programs in Yemen. Of the total funds the UAE has donated since 2015, $1.74 billion has been allocated to food aid, $646 million to health projects, and $151.1 million to the education sector. Funds have also been dedicated to energy generation, social services, and government programmes in Yemen.

The UAE provided $2.42 billion in assistance to Egypt in 2016. These funds were largely provided in the form of budget support by the UAE Government, as well as ongoing funding for 17 multi-year projects by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). The ADFD has been supporting progress in Egypt since 1974

Whether it is providing emergency food supplies in conflict areas or the construction of homes in Mali or the contribution to education and social support of the 5.5 million people across camps in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and in occupied Palestine; the UAE has led the way to a more peaceable and sustainable world.

And these crucial disbursements were made to where need was most dire – to 42 countries, primarily in Asia and Africa. For every resident and citizen of the UAE, it is a matter of pride that the amount the country has given is well above what the United Nations recommends. For the sixth consecutive year, the UAE’s total international aid surpassed the 0.7 per cent of GNI, the UN recommendation for donor countries. The $11 billion figure amounts to 0.93 per cent of the UAE’s gross national income of 2019.

When last year, the UAE rightfully staked claim to similar achievements, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, had tweeted: “We share our good fortune with all humanity”. It was then the fifth consecutive time the UAE had been named the world’s largest official development aid donor relative to national income – giving $6 billion to 147 countries in 2017.

Notably, the increase every year in the amount the UAE donates shows a determination to widen the scope of welfare. The commitment to give more and help as many people as possible is aligned with the country’s core values: a broad generosity, the desire to ease suffering and help rehabilitate people from living in conditions that they had no control in creating. Indeed, these core values form the foundations of this country.

There are a range of worthy causes and projects highlighted in the aid report by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation: women’s empowerment in Afghanistan and humanitarian assistance in Sudan, Palestine and Yemen, and providing clean and renewable energy sources.

The UAE’s Abu Dhabi Fund for Development yesterday announced reports of a $300m in aid for Jordan, a prominent recipient of investment and foreign assistance.

At the heart of these endeavours is the UAE’s will to support 17 key sustainability goals laid down by the UN. These extend from eradicating poverty and hunger to reducing inequalities and providing clean water and sanitation. As Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation said: “Giving and mutual co-operation is our instrument to making a better world.”

Time and again, we have seen the country increase its commitment to humanitarian efforts. By leading the way in philanthropic efforts, the UAE has shown how nations should be driven by a moral duty to help where they can. It is this spirit, after all, that makes a difference to millions of lives.

0 Comments