One in four UAE residents affected by humanitarian crises: survey

On World Refugee Day, majority do not know that 60 million people are displaced worldwide

Last updated: September 15, 2018 | 20:47

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UAE residents are deeply affected by humanitarian crises and natural disasters, and open their hearts to those immediately affected by these traumas, a new survey has found. One in four UAE residents has family or friends affected by a natural disaster or humanitarian crisis, the survey showed.

The poll, titled Humanitarianism in the UAE, was commissioned by NRS International, a Dubai-based relief supplier of products for the humanitarian aid, public health and development sectors, and conducted by YouGov, to mark World Refugee Day, which is recognised globally on 20^th June each year. It aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the attitudes and commitment of UAE residents to international humanitarian causes.

Other findings include:

73 per cent of residents made a contribution to an international humanitarian cause in the past year, either by way money and goods or time, through voluntary work
43 per cent say they donate in excess of $100 each year
86 per cent believe that it is important to contribute to such causes in the aftermath of natural disaster and war
80 per cent are likely to continue their support of international humanitarian causes in the coming year

The majority (76 per cent) of those polled underestimate the global challenges and does not know that 60 million people are displaced, as UNHCR’s annual Global Trends Report: World at War 2015 reported last year.

Despite those numbers, one in four people living in the UAE were found to have family or friends affected by a natural disaster or humanitarian crisis. Despite this direct exposure to the effects of such emergencies, the majority of respondents either underestimated or were unaware of the true scale of the current humanitarian crisis, the most serious since the end of World War II. A staggering 60 million people, representing one in every 122 humans, is now either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum.

“Countries across the world need our help to end the suffering of millions of people, and we applaud the massive contribution made by people living in the UAE,” said Farhaj Sarwar, Managing Director, NRS International. The company sold 42 million relief essentials to UN and aid agencies to alleviate the suffering of 75 million people globally in 2014-2015.

The UAE has established a pivotal role in international efforts to combat humanitarian challenges, and has a strong presence in emergency and long-term humanitarian aid efforts all around the world. According to the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the UAE was the biggest donor of foreign aid in 2014 and the NRS International study reiterates the continued commitment and positive attitude of residents across the UAE.