Abu Dhabi: With unprecedented humanitarian assistance provided to affected people and war-torn countries all over the world, it is not surprising to see the UAE ranked as one of the world’s most generous countries, Gulf News learnt during the second day of the National Media Council (NMC) event in the capital yesterday.

To mark the 43rd UAE National Day celebrations, Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Cooperation and President of Zayed University, addressed major charitable contributions of the UAE to its neighbours as well as other countries since it was established.

“UAE’s profile is full of exceptional humanitarian aid and charitable works done all over the world to provide decent living standards and ease the suffering of the underprivileged. The noble humanitarian initiatives undertaken by the UAE are a source of pride to every Emirati,” Shaikha Lubna said during the NMC conference, which started on Monday and will end on Friday.

“We now have over 43 UAE donor entities, of which 22 are government organisations and 21 are non-governmental organtisations, and serve humanity through significant assistance to those in need and extend bridges of cooperation in terms of humanitarian work,” she added.

“The humanitarian work started with the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development in 1971 to finance development projects and achieve economic and social development in developing countries, Emirates Red Crescent in 1983, and Zayed Humanitarian and Charity Organisation in 1992,” she added.

Shaikha Lubna also pointed out that the UAE has spent around Dh16.4 billion in foreign assistance between 2010 and 2012.

“Funds were distributed mainly for health, infrastructure development, energy generation and supply, transport and storage, social services, education, water and sanitation, tourism and industry between 2010 and 2012. Jordan, Palestine, Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Sudan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Egypt and Syria were the top ten Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible countries in the same period,” she said.

Around $200 million was spent this year on construction plans in Gaza following Israeli attacks.

“Palestine was and will remain on the top of our agenda and it is the responsibility of everyone. The Palestinian people witnessed generous and continuous donations to establish various humanitarian and relief projects and reconstruct many cities, which were destroyed by the Israeli occupying forces,” she said.

Earlier this year, the UAE government made a generous Dh18 million contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the provision of health assistance in the Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps in Jordan, of which Dh 7 million will be allocated to health activities and Dh11 million for water, sanitation and health.

“Additionally, a generous contribution of $5 million (Dh18.37 million) was made by the UAE in the fight against Ebola,” she added.

The four-day event organised by the NMC, aims to celebrate the UAE’s 43rd National Day with the presence of over 100 journalists from all over the world.

The NMC event was also attended by Dr Abdullah Bel Haif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works,