The UAE on Tuesday announced that it would allocate 15 per cent of its projected budget to humanitarian contributions over the next four years.
Dr Maytha Al Shamsi, Minister of State, made the pledge while addressing a session of the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, highlighting the directives of President Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to support people suffering in crises.
“By 2020, we will double our contributions to humanitarian actions,” the minister said, according to Wam, the state news agency.
“We urge other states and parties to do the same because our success is measured by how we provide assistance to the most vulnerable.”
Dr Al Shamsi also emphasised the UAE’s commitment to working with other countries in addressing climate change and dealing with the root causes of conflicts.
“We are going to cooperate with local governments and local communities to build capacities so as to be able to confront crises,” she said.
“This has been demonstrated by our support for societies affected by war such as those in Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and Syria.”
The UAE is also committed to providing aid to countries hosting large numbers of refugees, said Dr Al Shamsi.
Khalifa Al Marrar, UAE Ambassador to Turkey, Sultan Al Shamsi, assistant undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Khalifa Al Marzooqi, UAE Consul General in Istanbul, were among the officials in the UAE’s delegation to the summit.
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