The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has maintained, for the third time in a row. The UAE’s aid has only humanitarian objectives. It is neither governed by politics nor is not limited by geography, race, colour or religion of the beneficiary.
This is a practical application of the principle of tolerance in the UAE. This policy was laid down by the founder President of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who stressed that foreign aid and assistance is one of the basic pillars of UAE foreign policy.
When formulating its approach to providing foreign aid, the UAE has adopted the idea of sustainable development and improving the welfare of all mankind.
Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, praised the continuous support given by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and their directives to provide assistance to other nations.
According to the UAE Interact website, between 1971 and 2014, government and non-government organisations in the UAE contributed AED 173 billion in foreign aid to 178 countries across the world.
Due to the critical humanitarian situations in the region, particularly the situation in Yemen and the Syrian refugee crisis, the humanitarian aid provided by the UAE rose by 62 percent in 2015 to AED3.45 billion, compared with the previous years.
The foreign aid targets priority areas such as: humanitarian assistance, elimination of poverty, support for children, global sectoral programmes such as transportation, infrastructure, governments support and empowerment of women.
During 2015, most humanitarian aid was allocated to refugees and internally displaced people affected by crises and conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq.
According to geographical distribution, countries in Africa got the largest aid of AED 25.11 billion. Asian countries received AED 6.63 billion. Countries in Europe, North and South America, Oceania and others received AED 586.94 million.
The UAE’s foreign aid in 2015 was in line with the country’s policy of supporting the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The UAE is currently involved in the efforts to achieve UN SDGs.
