Big-hearted UAE is world’s top donor

Abu Dhabi:  The UAE spent Dh21.63 billion in foreign aid in 2013 — more than any other nation in the world. The figure was revealed on Monday during the launch of the 2013 UAE Foreign Aid report, in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; UAE ministers; and senior government officials. “Our contribution has been predominantly towards development, helping people in the long term, eradicating poverty, establishing education systems and building sustainable life,” said Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which records the foreign aid offered by nations around the world, the UAE rose from 0.33 per cent of the global official developmental assistance in 2012 to 1.33 per cent in 2013. “For many nations around the world, this came as a surprise. They expected Switzerland, Luxembourg, (or) maybe Norway to come first,” said Erik Solheim, president of the Development Assistance Committee, which is affiliated to the OECD. “I came here today to thank you, on behalf of the world’s poor, and to ask you ... (to) ... please ... (not) ... stop.” With the help of foreign aid, poverty was reduced by half in the last 20 years and malaria reduced by half in the last 10 years. Solheim expressed hope that the OECD will set a new target to eradicate absolute poverty by 2030 and that the UAE’s vision and contribution to developing nations in need will set an example for the world’s richest. The UAE’s Dh21.63-billion contribution was disbursed via 38 donor entities in 145 countries. Of the net amount, 94.6 per cent was for development projects, and the rest divided between charitable assistance (2.9 per cent) and humanitarian aid (2.5 per cent). Not surprisingly, countries in the Middle East and the region received the biggest chunk of the aid, especially countries affected by conflicts and political unrest. Egypt, which received Dh16.99 billion, topped the list, followed by Jordan with Dh582.93 million and Pakistan with Dh546.54 million. The UAE also offered aid to less obvious contenders such as Europe (0.78 per cent), North America (0.01 per cent) and Australia and New Zeeland (0.01 per cent). “Some may point the finger at the UAE for spending most on regional countries, but helping out ... those close to you (first) is normal and commendable. They are the people of your neighbourhood, with whom you have historical and cultural ties,” stressed Solheim. Shaikha Lubna said: “When your immediate environment is in conflict, it has an impact on you, so we need to help them to avoid being affected ourselves.” During the launch of the report, Shaikh Mohammed awarded the 38 entities that contributed to the UAE foreign aid in 2013. Among them were 17 government ministries and authorities, which disbursed Dh17.85 billion for development, humanitarian and charity programmes in 30 countries. The largest sum came from the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance, which gave Dh16.7 billion to Egypt in the form of bilateral assistance. Other prominent contributors were the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (Dh1.68 billion); Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (Dh776.8 million); Red Crescent Authority (Dh556.46 million); Dar Al Ber Society (Dh126.4 million); Sharjah Charity Association (Dh91.79 million); Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation (Dh77.4 million); and Al Maktoum Foundation (Dh56.36 million). -Khaleej Times