As the world acknowledges the UN’s World Humanitarian Day on Sunday, the UAE continues to re-emphasise the importance of its foreign aid agenda, and carrying on its position as a global leader in humanitarian aid.
The UAE’s approach to providing relief assistance has seen a shift in direction. On top of carrying out relief operations across various countries, the UAE has incorporated sustainable development projects works that assist beneficiary countries across multiple domains, including infrastructure works, the establishment of utility services, and construction of hospitals and schools.
Development projects by the UAE have been carried out across multiple countries including, Yemen, Egypt, Pakistan, along with various other nations in the continents of Asia and Africa. These multi-sector projects are tailored to contribute to each country’s development plan and implemented in close collaboration with those countries’ governments.
Worth noting, the UAE leadership continues to reiterate that aid provided by the nation does not encompass any political objective, but instead reinforces the country’s humanitarian giving approach instilled by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
UAE foreign assistance to beneficiary countries is provided regardless of any political, ethnic or religious considerations.
In 2017, UAE development aid in Asia accounted for 43 percent (AED8.28 billion) of the total foreign assistance, followed by Africa with 28 percent of the total, or AED5.44 billion. Of the total development assistance to the Asian continent, more than a third was allocated to Yemen (AED2.97 billion), to support its citizens and help reestablish the security and stability of the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation launched the UAE’s five-year foreign aid strategy for 2017-2021. According to MOFAIC, seeks to promote UAE diplomacy and support security, stability and sustainable development, with the aim to reduce poverty and improve the lives of individuals and underprivileged communities.