Hala Al Khayyat (Abu Dhabi)
Foreign aid has constituted one of the most important pillars of the foreign policy of the United Arab Emirates since its establishment, as it has been keen to provide generous assistance to developing and needy governments and peoples, and to provide relief to those affected by disasters, and to help the distressed and victims in areas of conflict and crisis. As part of its principles for the next fifty years, the UAE affirmed, within the ninth principle, that foreign humanitarian aid is an integral part of its path and its moral obligations towards the less fortunate peoples.
The state affirms that it does not link its external humanitarian aid to religion, race, color or culture, and that political disagreement with any country does not justify its failure to provide relief in disasters, emergencies and crises.
The ninth principle of the Fifty Principles Document represents His Highness the vision of the state in harmony with the teachings of our true religion, the values of the Emirati society and the civilizational heritage, within the framework of a pure and pure humanity, free of religious, national and ethnic differences, and far from narrow interests. The UAE’s foreign aid is an integral part of the country’s foreign policy and a contributor to developing diplomatic relations and achieving economic and social development for partner countries, among priorities for support that focus on empowering women and girls, creating job opportunities for youth, building institutional capacities of countries, combating epidemics, and strengthening the food security system. capacity building, and addressing climate change.
State institutions benefit from technology to access digital aid, which are technical means and tools that facilitate and speed up the implementation of UAE foreign aid programs to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, the UAE is focusing its efforts on developing its institutions concerned with foreign aid and on building a qualified national cadre that runs them efficiently and effectively. Continuing to support the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in the world and active and constructive participation in designing global goals for the period that follows.
help
Since the establishment of the UAE until last year, the volume of UAE foreign aid has reached 320 billion dirhams, from which 201 countries have benefited. It supports prosperity and stability in these countries, and alleviates human suffering, in cooperation with regional and international partners and United Nations agencies working in the humanitarian and development fields.
Outstanding efforts
The model of humanitarian giving that the UAE offers to the world began with its inception in 1971 and its principles were derived from the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, and the state continues under the era of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, in providing foreign aid, which exalts the value of human solidarity and urges it. Humanitarian work is considered one of the state’s priorities and within its various strategies, and it harnesses the necessary capabilities for its growth and prosperity, in an effort to confront the current humanitarian challenges in a number of troubled regions and regions, by adopting more vital initiatives and projects that contribute to strengthening the fields of humanitarian work globally, and extending the umbrella of white hands To various parts of the world with professionalism, speed, flexibility and readiness that move humanitarian work to higher levels of performance to be consistent with the progress the country is witnessing in various fields, and invest its capabilities in the presence of a strategic stock of emergency relief materials and logistical capabilities that enable it to deliver its aid to those affected by crises and disasters anywhere in the world. the world in just a few hours.
international commitment
In continuation of the state’s efforts in humanitarian giving, the state has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals, and to achieving the goals of the 2030 Development Plan launched by the United Nations General Assembly. In this context, the state confirmed that the UAE aid has already supported a number of key areas in the 2030 development plan, including infrastructure development, combating poverty and hunger, providing health care, education and renewable energy, as well as supporting and empowering women.
The country is the largest donor in the world, confirming its commitment to its global humanitarian mission, its development principles, and its quest to consolidate its position as a humanitarian capital and a station for relief and support for all countries.
Humanitarian Leadership Initiatives
The UAE foreign aid sector has witnessed significant growth thanks to the guidance and support of the wise leadership. The UAE donors and charitable institutions have provided their assistance in the past years in the field of building schools, hospitals, roads and bridges, supporting extensive immunization programs for children and mothers, and providing much-needed humanitarian relief in areas that have suffered from disasters. Natural destructive conflicts. During the Corona pandemic, the state provided assistance to combat the Covid-19 virus, from distributing medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and “Corona” examination devices. and respirators, and providing protection for medical personnel working in the front lines around the world, in addition to cooperating with specialized international organizations such as the World Health Organization, providing financial support for them, and cooperating with the World Food Program and the efforts of the International City for Humanitarian Services. The UAE was one of the first countries to support humanitarian initiatives during the “Covid-19” pandemic, as the aid provided by the state constituted 80% of the volume of the international response to the affected countries during the pandemic, and since the start of the “pandemic” in 2020 until July 2021, the total number of medical aid reached, Respiratory equipment, testing equipment and personal protective equipment, supplies 2,154 tons destined for 135 countries around the world. The total number of medical aid trips sent reached 196, and 6 field hospitals were established in Sudan, Guinea, Conakry, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Lebanon and Jordan, and a mobile clinic was equipped in Turkmenistan, and aid was sent to 117 countries from the warehouses of international organizations located in the International Service City. Humanitarian in Dubai, and donating $10 million in in-kind aid from the UAE to the World Health Organization.
A new stage of giving and giving
Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, Secretary-General of the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, affirmed that the UAE was and will remain a symbol of the values of generosity, giving and human brotherhood.
Al-Falahi said that the state’s approach in this regard is rooted in the hearts of its people and its wise leadership since its establishment, and is rooted in its thought, plans and strategies, which were not lost sight of the issues of human peoples and their development needs. and consolation for its civilian victims. The Secretary-General of the Red Crescent added: “With His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, assuming the reins of government in the Emirates, the country begins a new phase of giving and giving, during which its humanitarian initiatives are strengthened regionally and internationally, and the circle of its relief and development activities expands. His Highness is one of the pioneers in this vital field, and is interested in its sustainability and making it more impactful in the lives of peoples who suffer from the stress of circumstances, through His Highness’s relentless endeavor to strengthen partnerships between actors in this field worldwide, and to establish alliances to address the humanitarian and development challenges facing the less fortunate countries and peoples. ».
Al Falahi said, “We in the Emirates Red Crescent renew the pledge and loyalty to move forward in the footsteps of our wise leadership in adopting initiatives that make the difference in enhancing the level of humanitarian response in emergencies and crises, improving the efficiency of relief operations in squares and troubled areas, and achieving more humanitarian and development gains for the segments.” And the groups we target inside and outside the country.”
Mohammed Haji Al-Khoury, Director General of the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Works, stressed that the UAE has been and continues to be of help to peoples, and has always been a pioneer in extending a helping hand in all issues of a human dimension in any part of the world, without any religious, ethnic or cultural considerations. .
He said: “The state’s efforts in the humanitarian aspect will continue and will be strengthened during the era of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, at the regional and international levels, and the scope of its relief and development activities will expand, especially since His Highness has insight and inherited wisdom.”
He stressed that the UAE’s efforts in humanitarian giving since the era of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God rest their souls, are recognized as symbols of humanitarian work in the world.
Al-Khoury stressed that the Khalifa Humanitarian Foundation will continue the approach of goodness and humanitarian giving under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State “may God protect him”, in a manner that consolidates the role of the state as a regional and global capital for humanitarian work, serving humanity, and promoting the values of giving and a culture of goodness in the society.
For his part, Federal National Council Member Marwan Obaid Al Muhairi said: The UAE’s efforts in humanitarian giving extend to all parts of the world, and is always proactive in responding to emergencies, crises and disasters that brotherly or friendly countries are exposed to.
Al Muhairi stressed that humanitarian giving in the UAE and external humanitarian aid was initiated by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, and the march continued by the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, and continued during the era of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him.
Al Muhairi pointed out that the most prominent images of the UAE’s humanitarian contributions are the participation of all countries in the world in their joys and sorrows, which was evident during the past days from the influx of heads of most of the world’s countries to the UAE, mourning the death of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. May God rest his soul” and congratulations on the selection of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as President of the State, which indicates the influence of the UAE and the soft power it possesses around the world.
harmonious work
Al Muhairi said that all the authorities and institutions in the country are working in harmony to achieve the fifty principles, which include within the ninth principle the promotion of foreign humanitarian aid, which lays the foundation for the UAE to be present in all international forums.
He stated that the efforts of the UAE, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, were and still are present in all humanitarian initiatives, which was evident during the past two years. % of the aid that reached different countries of the world was from the UAE or was transported through its airports, which confirms the country’s imprint and strategic importance. He stressed that the UAE has not and will not fail to provide relief to any needy person in the world, and will continue to provide humanitarian aid externally in support of every needy person.
honest message
Obaid Khalfan Al-Ghoul Al-Salami, a member of the Federal National Council, said: “Despite our great affliction over our great deceased, the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, our greatest consolation is that we are moving – God willing – from good to good. We have moved from the hand of Faithful to the hand of his master who witnessed the establishment, supported the empowerment, and proceeds with the permission of the Almighty God to leadership at a steady pace.
He added: Likewise, the world has the right to rejoice that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, assumes the reins of government in the country. The one who managed the most difficult files, resolved the most complex disputes, maintained cordiality between friends and siblings, and witnessed the poverty of the destitute and refugee tents in the white hands of His Highness for decades, and His Highness’ first words when he was elected President of the United Arab Emirates were “I am your brother Muhammad and I will remain as you know me, and God willing, we will not change. Undoubtedly, these words were not addressed to his brothers, Their Highnesses Sheikhs, members of the Supreme Council of the Union, rulers of the Emirates, but rather a sincere message that reassures the whole world that goodness continues and giving continues, and that there is no alternative to the charity that you are entrusted with from the Emirates except charity. Al-Salami said: His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, is able to carry the trust and identity of the Emirates, the trust of good instilled by the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “may God rest his soul”, and the identity of giving and tolerance that the Emirates did not know. others since its inception.
And he stressed that we in the UAE and the world are sure that charity to humans was and is still a top priority for His Highness, which has not and will not be affected by changes, but that goodness will increase exponentially and that giving will flow down to reach everyone in need, God willing.