UAE tops global donor list for the fifth year
▶ Almost double the target set by UN with Asia the leading beneficiary followed by Africa, Europe and Yemen
The UAE was the world’s largest donor of official development aid last year, relative to its national income, according to a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
With a total contribution of Dh19.32 billion of developmental aid in 2017, the UAE spent 1.31 per cent of its gross national income on foreign developmental aid – almost twice the global target of 0.7 per cent set by the United Nations.
The donations made last year represent a 23.72 per cent increase on the previous year, when the country contributed Dh15.57 billion.
Almost 43 per cent of the UAE’s aid was distributed across Asia, making up Dh8.28bn; about 28 per cent (Dh5.4bn) was donated in Africa and 23 per cent in Europe (Dh4.44bn).
Dh2.97bn was donated to Yemen, reported state news agency Wam.
Yesterday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said the UAE had retained its top spot for the fifth year in a row.
“Our aid reached Dh19.3bn and was distributed to more than 147 countries,” Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter.
“The good of the UAE is for all humanity, that is how [UAE Founding Father Sheikh] Zayed founded [the country].”
Total global foreign aid was Dh538.5bn, a slight decrease of 0.6 per cent on 2016.
According to preliminary data collected by the OECD, less money was spent on refugees in donor countries but more funds flowed to countries most in need of aid.
Sweden was the second greatest donor of foreign aid, contributing 1.01 per cent of its gross national income – up from fourth place in 2016.
Luxembourg followed in third with 1 per cent. Norway, Denmark and the UK made up the remaining countries to exceed the UN target for donations relative to GNI.
Yesterday, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, said the UAE earning the top spot was an indication of the “strenuous efforts being made by Emiratis to serve mankind”.
“Contributing to the advancement of humanity and the achievement of peace and prosperity are key pillars of the UAE’s foreign aid policy,” he said.
Last year was announced as the Year of Giving by President Sheikh Khalifa.
About 275,000 volunteers took part in charitable activities, spending 2.8 million hours contributing to good causes, according to an end-ofyear report by the Government.
Among the initiatives was the Reaching the Last Mile forum in November, which was dedicated to eradicating diseases such as malaria and polio.
At the event in Abu Dhabi, a US$100 million (Dh367m) fund was announced with the aim of wiping out many of the world’s deadliest diseases. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, contributed $20m to the fund.
About 275,000 volunteers took part, spending 2.8 million hours contributing to good causes