As founder and first President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan said, “Foreign aid and assistance is one of the basic pillars of our foreign policy. For we believe that there is no true benefit for us from the wealth that we have unless it does not also reach those in need, wherever they may be, and regardless of their nationality or beliefs.”
The UAE has provided more than $100 billion in foreign aid since 1971, underscoring its global leadership in making philanthropy a sustainable and inclusive effort.
Since its founding, the UAE has provided significant aid to developing countries and has been a major contributor of emergency relief to regions affected by conflict and natural disasters. In addition, through long-term development assistance, the UAE seeks to reduce poverty, help those in need and support economic growth and progress.
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the UAE continues to rank among the largest providers of official development assistance (ODA) relative to national income worldwide. From the start of 2021 to mid-2022, the UAE has provided over $3.5 billion in foreign aid to countries around the globe.
Dr. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, wrote: “The humanitarian work in the UAE is a fundamental pillar of the philanthropic approach adopted by the state since its establishment.”
Recent Aid Includes:
- Gaza is the single largest recipient of UAE humanitarian aid, with the UAE providing nearly 50% of all foreign assistance flowing into Gaza. Since 2023, the UAE's total assistance has exceeded $3 billion, with more than 90,000 tons of aid delivered. This includes 8,700 land-transport trucks, 80 airdrops and 13 ships carrying essential supplies. The UAE has also provided extensive medical support, delivering critical care to 75,000 Gazans through its field hospital in Gaza and its floating hospital docked at Al Arish in Egypt.
- The UAE has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to supporting the Sudanese people, providing more than $4.24 billion in humanitarian and development assistance over the past decade. The UAE pledged $500 million in additional aid at a State Department event for the Sudan Humanitarian Fund in February 2026. Since the onset of the conflict in April 2023, the UAE has become the second largest humanitarian donor to Sudan after the United States, delivering food assistance, medical aid and shelter materials to vulnerable populations.
- The UAE has been one of Yemen's biggest humanitarian donors since 2015, providing more than $8.4 billion in assistance to support the Yemeni people. Emirati aid has delivered food, medical supplies, hospital repairs, power projects, water systems and support for displaced people across southern and eastern Yemen.
- The UAE provided over $218 million in humanitarian and development assistance to Egypt from 2020 to 2024, emphasizing development-oriented support in social services and urban development. Programs include support for housing, community infrastructure and social welfare initiatives, aligning with the social services and sustainable urban development priority sector.
- In 2025, the UAE launched a relief bridge to support those affected by the earthquake that struck Afghanistan's eastern regions, delivering more than 3,681 tons of food, shelter and medical supplies through air and sea operations.
- In 2022, the UAE provided $13.6 million in humanitarian aid to Pakistan for those affected by torrential rains and floods, operating an air bridge and dispatching aid ships carrying 200 containers of relief supplies. The assistance, including food, medical supplies and shelter materials, supported 500,000 Pakistani families impacted by the flooding.
- Since the onset of the conflict in 2022, the UAE has provided nearly $105 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine (as of November 2025), delivering critical relief supplies to over 1.2 million people. This commitment extends to the educational sector, where the provision of 7,500 laptops and 10,000 school bags has ensured that Ukrainian children can continue their studies despite the crisis. Beyond direct aid, the UAE has played a pivotal diplomatic role by mediating 17 captive exchanges to date, successfully facilitating the release of 4,641 individuals.
- In January 2026, the UAE committed $1.5 million to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to support critical programs advancing children's rights, women's empowerment, elderly care and assistance for people of determination.
While much of the UAE’s development assistance is provided on a government-to-government basis, the country is also a major contributor to multilateral organizations. The UAE supports various UN development funds, including UNICEF, UNDP and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
