Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has commented on how humanitarianism is ingrained in UAE culture, as World Humanitarian Day is marked on Wednesday.
The UN-led World Humanitarian Day is observed each year on August 19, the date of a 2003 suicide bombing in Baghdad that killed 22 people, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN high commissioner for human rights and head of the mission in Iraq.
The date is marked to recognise the role of humanitarian agencies and workers, and to highlight the importance of offering a helping hand to people affected by crises.
“Life has taught me in the scale of humanity, presence is not measured in the raising of voice but in the depth of impact,” Sheikh Mohammed said in a post on X.
“It isn't measured by who speaks about human suffering but by who reduces it. It isn't measured in newspaper headlines but in presence in the lives of people. Life has taught me that humanity doesn't need the people who speak in its name but those who take action on its behalf.
“The UAE chose, throughout its history and its values since its founding by Zayed the Good and his brothers, on the correct side of humanitarian work. It will remain, God willing, [a nation] of impact and a creator of hope and life.”
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, said helping those in need was an important part of the UAE's values.
“On World Humanitarian Day, we affirm that giving is a deeply rooted legacy we learnt from the late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, who placed the human being first and made humanitarian work an approach not bound by time or place,” said Sheikh Mansour, state news agency Wam reported.
The UAE has committed billions of dirhams to relief operations this year alone. These campaigns include tackling childhood hunger, combating preventable diseases and improving access to education around the world.
One of the highest-profile projects was the Edge of Life campaign, launched by Sheikh Mohammed, which has raised more than Dh2.82 billion to help save five million children from hunger.
More than 44,000 individuals, companies and humanitarian organisations took part in the campaign.
Humanitarian action is regarded as a cornerstone of the UAE’s foreign policy, said Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“Guided by a steadfast commitment to responding to humanitarian needs wherever they arise, without discrimination, the UAE continues to strengthen international partnerships and support multilateral efforts, thereby helping to expand the impact and sustainability of humanitarian action,” said Sheikh Abdullah, Wam reported.
“On World Humanitarian Day, we believe that solidarity with humanity and the protection of human dignity and life constitute a shared responsibility. Guided by this belief, we are committed to ensuring that our humanitarian response is innovative and sustainable – extending beyond meeting urgent needs to empowering individuals and communities and supporting pathways to development and prosperity.”
Other UAE aid operations have continued in Gaza and Sudan, alongside emergency responses to natural disasters across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Another key initiative is the Operation Gallant Knight campaign in the Gaza Strip.
The UAE has provided more than $3.89 billion in humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the campaign, including more than 126,000 tonnes of relief, medical and food aid delivered through more than 770 flights, 25 ships and 13,000 lorries. The Step of Hope campaign has provided prosthetic limbs to 72 amputees in Gaza.
Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, said humanitarianism was a shared responsibility.
“On World Humanitarian Day, we reflect on a responsibility that transcends geographical boundaries – one centred on humanity and on safeguarding human dignity and life,” she said, Wam reported.
“It is a shared humanitarian responsibility that knows no borders and makes no distinction between peoples or communities.
“The UAE has made humanitarian action a priority in its foreign policy, guided by a belief that responding to crises extends beyond providing relief during critical circumstances to empowering people, strengthening communities’ capacity to recover and rebuild, and building a more stable and prosperous future.”
