World Humanitarian Day 2025: UAE foreign aid tops Dh360 billion since 1971

The United Arab Emirates today joins the global community in commemorating World Humanitarian Day 2025, observed annually on August 19, reaffirming its ongoing efforts and pivotal role in alleviating the impact of difficult and exceptional circumstances faced by many countries worldwide.

The UAE celebrates this humanitarian occasion with pride in its long-standing achievements in the field of humanitarian work since its founding. From the establishment of the Union in 1971 until mid-2024, the country’s total foreign aid reached Dh360 billion (USD 98 billion), significantly contributing to poverty reduction, disaster and crisis response, economic and social development, and the promotion of international stability and peace.

World Humanitarian Day 2025 carries the theme: “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities.” The theme underscores the importance of international cooperation in supporting people affected by crises, while emphasizing the role of local communities as active partners in shaping their future.

To mark the day, various federal and local government entities, in coordination with international and local humanitarian organizations, are organizing a series of events, initiatives, and programs to reinforce the values of generosity and giving. Activities include honoring humanitarian workers, showcasing the UAE’s global humanitarian contributions, and producing media content that highlights the impact of local initiatives in cooperation with international institutions.

This year’s observance comes as the UAE leads international efforts to assist victims of wars and conflicts. The country’s wise leadership consistently emphasizes the need for collective action by individuals, governments, international organizations, and civil society to strengthen humanitarian work and advance its role in achieving sustainable development—especially in light of today’s natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, humanitarian initiatives and charitable projects remain a top national priority, reaching communities worldwide affected by disasters, crises, wars, and conflicts. Likewise, the UAE Government, under His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, remains committed to continuing the nation’s humanitarian journey, extending assistance to those impacted by earthquakes, floods, and conflicts across all continents.

Sheikh Mohamed ’s vision supports global efforts to foster solidarity and empower local communities through sustainable development projects that save tens of millions of lives, ease suffering, and provide hope for impoverished and vulnerable populations around the world. The UAE’s leadership and government affirm that the country’s humanitarian mission will continue unabated—its hand of generosity extended to all peoples, its work for humanity unwavering, and its beacon of hope unextinguished.

The UAE has set a global example by transforming philanthropy into a sustainable approach that benefits nations and peoples without distinction or discrimination. Its humanitarian legacy is rooted in the values of benevolence, compassion, volunteerism, and solidarity.

Since the founding of the Union in 1971 until mid-2024, the UAE’s foreign aid totaled Dh360 billion (USD 98 billion). These contributions played a vital role in combating poverty, mitigating disasters, supporting development, and fostering international stability and peace.

The UAE’s leadership, government, and people are united by a deep commitment to charitable work—helping the distressed and relieving the afflicted—guided by the principles of Islam and universal human values, and by its historic mission to strengthen international solidarity and humanitarian cooperation. This humanitarian legacy was firmly established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who laid the foundation of compassion and generosity for the happiness of all humanity, regardless of origin, ethnicity, color, nationality, or religion.

The UAE continues to honor its international humanitarian commitments to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to charity, humanitarian relief, and development.

In 2024 and the first half of 2025, the country launched numerous initiatives. Sheikh Mohamed directed the launch of the “Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Initiative” worth Dh 20 billion, dedicated to humanitarian projects in the world’s most vulnerable communities. To implement this initiative, a Federal Decree established the Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Foundation, tasked with delivering global humanitarian programs.

In parallel, Sheikh Mohamed issued a Federal Decree establishing the International Humanitarian Affairs Council to oversee all matters related to international humanitarian action, while the newly announced UAE International Aid Agency was mandated to manage the country’s foreign aid programs.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation has had profound global impact across humanitarian relief, education, community empowerment, and future innovation. In 2024 alone, its programs reached 149 million people in 118 countries, with projects valued at over Dh2.2 billion.

Since its inception in 2015, the Foundation has grown into one of the region’s largest charitable and humanitarian entities, expanding beyond aid delivery to rebuilding, rehabilitation, and empowerment of individuals and communities—guided by a vision to improve quality of life and support sustainable development.

Among its major milestones in 2024 was the launch of the “Mother’s Endowment” campaign by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, establishing a Dh1 billion endowment fund to honor mothers in the UAE by supporting education for millions worldwide.

Similarly, in 2025, the UAE introduced the “Father’s Endowment” initiative, allocating part of its returns to provide healthcare for the poor and vulnerable, and to strengthen healthcare systems in disadvantaged communities through hospital development and the provision of essential medicines.

In this context, the UAE International Aid Agency signed an agreement with the Government of Chad to build the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Hospital and Kidney Dialysis Center in N’Djamena, providing advanced healthcare services for kidney patients.

The International Humanitarian Affairs Council, chaired by Sheikh Diab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, oversees the UAE’s global humanitarian system, ensuring the effectiveness of its pioneering charitable and development projects.

The UAE’s Ninth Principle from the Principles of the 50 affirms that foreign humanitarian aid is an integral part of the country’s mission and moral obligation toward less fortunate peoples, without linkage to religion, race, color, or culture. Political differences with any country never preclude the UAE from providing disaster and emergency relief.

The nation remains committed to its international humanitarian responsibilities in line with the SDGs—such as eradicating poverty and hunger, ensuring health and well-being, quality education, and access to clean water and sanitation.

The UAE is home to numerous donor organizations, humanitarian institutions, and charitable associations that, under the guidance and support of the leadership, continue to focus their aid efforts on priority sectors, reinforcing the country’s role as a global leader in philanthropy and humanitarian relief.

For more than five decades, the UAE has held a prominent humanitarian position regionally and globally, making humanitarian work and noble stances toward other nations a fundamental pillar of its identity.

Under the leadership of Sheikh Mohamed, the UAE continues to foster a culture of humanitarian work within its society and governance, strengthening its role as one of the world’s leading contributors to humanitarian and development assistance.