UAE top foreign aid donor

The UAE was the biggest donor of foreign aid in 2014 according to the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD.

With a total contribution of Dh18.36 billion of developmental aid in 2014, the UAE spent 1.26 per cent of gross national income on foreign developmental aid.

This is the second year in a row the UAE has been the highest contributor to foreign aid and also ranked first in 2013.

In 2013, the UAE’s overseas aid donations more than tripled to Dh21.63 billion from the Dh5.83 billion in 2012.

Typically the UAE makes most of its donations through ministries, the Armed Forces, authorities and agencies.

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, minister of International Cooperation and Development and head of the UAE Committee for Coordination of Humanitarian Foreign Aid, said that holding the title for the second year in a row shows the strength of the UAE’s humanitarian mission.

She said it also shows that the UAE is a humanitarian hub and a source of relief and aid to all friendly nations in the world.

The UAE aimed its aid at improving the long-term development of recipient countries by helping their citizens to escape poverty, receive education and improve their health.

Sheikha Lubna thanked the donors and highlighted the importance of this ranking in the world.