Since its founding in 1971, the UAE has placed humanitarian assistance at the heart of its foreign policy, guided by the principle that prosperity and stability are a shared global responsibility.
Above all, the UAE’s efforts are dedicated to alleviating suffering, restoring dignity, and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable — especially women and children — during crises, disasters, and conflicts.
“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.”
– HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding father and former President of the UAE
As a global hub at the crossroads of three continents, the UAE leverages its resources, expertise, and partnerships to provide essential services in crisis settings worldwide. The UAE is a strong advocate for multilateralism and international cooperation, working closely with the UN and international partners to deliver principled, effective, and needs-based humanitarian responses.
The UAE hosts Dubai Humanitarian, the world’s largest humanitarian logistics hub and supply centre with around 80 members comprised of UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector. The convening of this diverse community enables rapid, coordinated responses that save lives and help communities rebuild.
The UAE bridges the gap between emergency relief and long-term recovery, always with a focus on the people impacted — those whose lives and futures depend on timely, compassionate support. In this context, the UAE continues to support approaches that integrate the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus.
The UAE consistently ranks among the world’s leading humanitarian partners. Since 1971, the UAE has delivered over $98 billion in foreign aid, supporting efforts to save lives, alleviate suffering, and create opportunities for sustainable development.
– Global Leadership: The UAE was ranked the third largest donor of humanitarian aid globally in 2025 by OCHA, contributing $1.46 billion. In December 2025, the UAE announced a pledge of $550 million to support the UN’s Global Humanitarian Overview, aimed at supporting approximately 135 million people across 23 humanitarian operations worldwide, including programs supporting refugees and migrants.
– Strategic Partnerships: At the UN, the UAE works with Member States and key partners — including UNICEF, WHO, and UN Women — to address urgent humanitarian needs and advance shared goals.
– On-the-Ground Impact: The UAE leads and supports critical operations in some of the world’s most challenging environments, delivering lifesaving assistance where it is needed most and supporting long-term recovery, including:
— As the largest bilateral donor of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the UAE established both a field hospital in Gaza and a floating hospital in Al Arish, coordinated medical evacuations, and launched a pipeline to deliver desalinated water from Egypt to Gaza.
— In response to the Sudan crisis, the UAE has pledged over $600 million in aid, including $30 million to support refugees in neighboring countries.
— In 2024, the UAE opened 10 maternity clinics across seven Afghan provinces to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare.
— Following the 2023 earthquake in Syria and Türkiye, the UAE provided $177 million in aid, including $20 million to the UN’s Syria appeal.
— In January 2025, the UAE pledged $40 million for environmental programmes in Brazil, supporting indigenous livelihoods in the Amazon and tackling plastic pollution.
— In October 2025, the UAE allocated $10 million to boost community resilience to natural disasters across Asia and the Pacific.
— Embracing Innovation: The UAE champions the responsible use of digital technologies — including AI, predictive analytics, digital cash transfers, and blockchain — to modernise humanitarian operations and ensure help reaches those in need, wherever they are.
As global challenges evolve, the UAE is committed to supporting the humanitarian reset led by UNOCHA — a collective effort to simplify coordination, improve efficiency, and better align assistance with needs on the ground. In line with these goals, the UAE champions a shift toward empowering local actors and strengthening community resilience, ensuring that that no one is left behind.
By leveraging its digital innovation ecosystem and world-class logistics infrastructure, and by building coalitions across governments, international organizations, and the private sector, the UAE expands the reach and impact of humanitarian efforts.
The UAE seeks to lead by example — delivering hope, restoring dignity, and alleviating suffering.
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