(Abu Dhabi) – The Ministry of International Cooperation and Development (Micad) said the UAE has provided Dh173 billion in foreign aid to 178 countries and geographical areas between 1971-2014.
In a special report on the occasion of the UAE’s 44th National Day, the ministry said the country’s foreign aid was provided by governmental and non-governmental organisations and charitable and humanitarian institutions as part of generous initiatives carried out on the instructions of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, and 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, who continue the humanitarian legacy of the late founding father.
Around Dh129 billion (74 per cent) of the UAE’s foreign aid came directly from government institutions, Dh30.5 billion from the Abu Dhabi Development Fund, Dh5.7 billion from Emirates Red Crescent and Dh2.9 billion from Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, according to the report.
The report noted that the UAE ranked as the world’s most generous donor in 2013 and 2014 and became an international role model of relief and assistance of millions of people affected by natural and man-made disasters and crises.
The largest recipient of the UAE’s foreign aid, by continent, was Asia, with more than Dh79.4 billion, followed by Africa with Dh75.4 billion used in development projects such as the construction of housing complexes, roads, and bridges, as well as power generation and others The Micad report shows that that the largest part of aid is concentrated in the “government and civil society” sector (Dh 80.6 billion), followed by the “public programs support” sector with Dh 22.5 billion. Humanitarian and relief aid in emergency situations accounted for about Dh7.7 billion.
(Courtesy WAM)
