Today's Edition
ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)
The United Arab Emirates demonstrated an unfaltering commitment to global humanitarian and diplomatic initiatives throughout 2024, driven by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's vision of shared humanity and resolve to uplift vulnerable communities worldwide.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summarised this ethos at the start of 2024, stating that the UAE entered the year "with an unwavering determination to extend the principles of peace, stability, and prosperity." As the year drew to a close, that determination had indeed manifested in tangible ways, touching millions of lives and consolidating the nation's role as a trusted partner in addressing global challenges.
Expanding Aid in Crisis Zones
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' (OCHA) Financial Tracking Service, the UAE contributed over $788.8 million in foreign aid in 2024, positioning itself as the 9th largest donor globally.
The UAE was also Gaza's second-largest contributor with $396.6 million in aid, covering more than 14% of the total – surpassed only by the United States. In Lebanon, it contributed $121.8 million, amounting to 10.7% of overall support and placing it third among donors, as per OCHA's data.
The assistance to both war-ridden countries extended beyond immediate relief, with projects such as "Operation Chivalrous Knight 3" and "The UAE Stands with Lebanon" focusing on capacity-building, infrastructure development, and medical support to deliver lasting benefits for communities ravaged by conflict.
In Gaza, the UAE rounded off 2024 with a critical evacuation effort, flying 55 seriously ill patients, including children and cancer sufferers, as well as 72 of their family members, to UAE hospitals for treatment.
This operation, which took place on December 31, marked the culmination of an initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed the year prior, to provide advanced medical care for 1,000 children and 1,000 cancer patients from Gaza.
To date, 2,254 Palestinian patients and their families have been treated in the UAE. In addition to that, the UAE's field hospital in southern Gaza served over 50,000 cases last year, and its floating medical ship anchored in Egypt's Al-Arish Port treated another 8,600 patients since its launch in February 2024.
Also on December 31, the UAE sent an emergency aid shipment to the besieged enclave to address rising infant mortality caused by extreme cold, malnutrition, and shortages of basic supplies. The shipment – which included milk, nutritional supplements, and winter clothing for affected families – came on the heels of another delivery carrying 445 tonnes of foodstuffs and other essentials sent by the UAE two days prior.
Earlier last year, the UAE delivered a polio vaccination campaign for 640,000 children in Gaza and introduced a "Subsidised Bread" project in November 2024 to facilitate the reopening of bakeries to alleviate the worsening hunger crisis. Meanwhile, its Joint Operations Command also launched "Birds of Goodness", conducting over 53 air drops carrying over 3,623 tonnes of assistance.
Lebanon, likewise, found a steadfast supporter in the UAE. In a swift response to the escalating aggression in the country, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed directed a $100 million emergency package under the "UAE Stands with Lebanon" campaign, which has, to date, delivered over 2,000 tonnes of assistance.
The campaign also extended $30 million in support to displaced Lebanese citizens in Syria and included over 240 tonnes of targeted aid to women through initiatives led by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF).
The UAE widened its support to Lebanon's education sector. In November, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent, directed the provision of 40,000 school bags to support Lebanese students.
One month earlier, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, introduced dedicated programmes under the Digital School – an initiative of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives – to sustain learning across Lebanon despite ongoing challenges. The initiatives ensured uninterrupted education for 40,000 students in the face of ongoing hostilities.
The UAE also stepped up aid for Sudan and Chad, where hunger, displacement, and cross-border instability demanded urgent attention. On April 17, it pledged $100 million to assist Sudan and its neighbours, in addition to $10.25 million for UN projects in Chad - funds that prioritised Sudanese refugee women through healthcare, psychosocial support, and food security programmes.
Allocations went to partners such as the World Health Organization, the UN Population Fund, the World Food Programme, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund.
The UAE's ability to mobilise aid quickly extended to countries beyond the Middle East, with numerous humanitarian projects targeting victims of natural disasters and other catastrophes in countries like the Philippines, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Brazil, among others.
Building on a Legacy of Generosity
The UAE's leadership in humanitarian work goes far beyond emergency relief, focusing on systemic issues and long-term solutions.
One of the most ambitious initiatives introduced in 2024 was the Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Initiative, following the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The effort was announced in March to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's passing, and it was backed by funding worth $20 billion dedicated to global humanitarian programmes.
Among its key endeavours, the UAE Global Hospitals Programme pledged $150 million over ten years to build ten hospitals in underserved regions, bridging healthcare gaps for communities with limited access to medical facilities.
During Ramadan 2024, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also introduced the Mothers' Endowment campaign, committing Dh1 billion to global education and training of mothers and children.
On the international stage, the UAE reinforced its dedication to multilateral partnerships by pledging $50 million to the second phase of the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, a development initiative from the Islamic Development Bank.
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, also announced a $100 million contribution to the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty at the G20 summit - funds channelled through the UAE Aid Agency.
The Reaching the Last Mile Initiative, under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, channelled Dh55 million to the Global Institute for Disease Elimination, in an effort to improve the lives of communities often overlooked by conventional aid.
Consolidating its most impactful philanthropic projects, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan established Erth Zayed Philanthropies to oversee a portfolio of humanitarian programmes in various sectors.
By unifying endeavours such as the Zayed Sustainability Prize and the Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, this new entity aims to streamline efforts in global health, education, food and water security, energy, climate and sustainability, and social innovation.
Bridging Divides Through Diplomacy
While humanitarian efforts dominated the headlines, the UAE also worked vigorously on the diplomatic front, being an active voice in the United Nations and championing constructive dialogue and cooperation.
Its representatives delivered over 60 statements across different UN bodies, advocating for peaceful conflict resolution, the protection of civilians, women's empowerment, ending violence in Gaza, countering extremism, and protecting children in conflict zones. The country also took a firm stance on the responsible use of veto power and addressed the challenges posed by hate speech, terrorism, and sexual violence in armed conflict.
One of last year's most notable diplomatic achievements came on December 30, when the UAE government successfully mediated a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, facilitating the release of 150 detainees from each side. This effort brought the total number of prisoners exchanged through UAE-facilitated negotiations to 2,484.
