A global icon of charity work
Zayed provides more than Dh98b aid in forms of grants, loans and assistance to help people around the world
Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan prioritised local and international humanitarian and charity issues, and the amount of aid provided by the UAE till the end of 2000, as per his directives, totalled more than Dh98 billion, in the form of grants, loans and assistance.
Palestine
The Shaikh Zayed Suburb Project in occupied Jerusalem, worth nearly Dh15 million, is one of Shaikh Zayed’s critical projects in Palestine. His other projects include the reconstruction of Jenin Camp, which cost around Dh100 million, as well as the construction of Shaikh Zayed City in Gaza at the cost of Dh220 million, Shaikh Khalifa City in Rafah, and the Emirati neighbourhood in Khan Younis. He also launched many hospitals, schools, health centres and centres for the people of determination in Palestinian villages, camps and cities, in both Gaza and the West Bank.
The Gulf is in the heart
In 1981, Shaikh Zayed chaired a summit where the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was announced. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development provided Dh160 million in loans to Bahrain to fund energy and industrial projects.
In 1972, Shaikh Zayed helped Yemen by launching Sana’a Radio, and in 1974, he presented an additional amount of $1.71 million to maintain television and radio projects. Under Shaikh Zayed’s directives, the UAE provided emergency aid worth $3 million to Yemen to reduce the impact of floods in the 1990s.
Egypt
Shaikh Zayed’s directives had a significant impact on Egypt, where he established numerous projects. Following the October 1973 War, Shaikh Zayed paid for rebuilding of the Suez Canal, Ismailia and Port Saeed, which were destroyed by the Israeli attack in 1967. In 1990, Shaikh Zayed donated $20 million to revive the ancient library in Alexandria.
Lebanon and Syria
Shaikh Zayed paid for a demining project in Lebanon’s south. He also wanted the UAE to play a leading role in the rebuilding process in Lebanon after the war, and the country provided financial assistance, grants and loans to key development projects. During the era of Shaikh Zayed, the UAE supported charity and development projects in Syria, and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Arab Economic Development signed three agreements to fund three industrial projects, worth Dh911 million.
Morocco
Shaikh Zayed strengthened relations between the UAE and Morocco, by launching many initiatives and projects. In 1976, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development provided a loan of Dh40 million to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments of Morocco.
Sudan
Shaikh Zayed provided generous aid to Sudan to establish the medical college and Nasser Hospital in Wad Medani. He also gave $3 million (Dh11 million) to combat the effects of drought in Sudan. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development also provided a loan of Dh5.16 million towards a rural development project in Darfur, in western Sudan.
Pakistan
In Pakistan, three Islamic centres were established in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar by Shaikh Zayed to promote Islamic and Arab culture among Pakistanis. He also contributed to the paving and widening of the mountain road in Kharan, the construction of the Dali Mosque, digging of water wells and building of schools and houses in different parts of the country.