The UAE will tomorrow observe the International Day of Charity, held annually on 5th September, reaffirming its commitment to humanitarian and civilisational responsibilities by supporting charitable, developmental, and relief efforts worldwide.
Charity has long been a deeply rooted tradition and core social value in the UAE since its founding. The country has consistently extended assistance to those in need, provided relief during disasters, and fostered solidarity and cooperation with nations affected by crises, wars, and conflicts.
Aligned with the Ninth Principle of the Principles of the 50, which underscores that foreign humanitarian aid is central to the UAE’s vision and moral duty, the nation’s foreign aid contributions had surpassed AED 360 billion (US$98 billion) by mid-2024.
This year, the occasion coincides with the UAE’s leading role in assisting the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip through Operation Chivalrous Knight 3. The UAE also continues to support the Sudanese people, providing more than US$3.5 billion in aid over the past decade, while humanitarian and relief assistance to Ukraine has reached over 1.2 million beneficiaries as of last February.
In the realm of natural disaster relief, the UAE delivered aid to Chad in January 2025, supplying 30,000 food baskets and over 20,000 blankets to help communities affected by floods. Similarly, urgent food supplies totaling 700 tonnes were sent to flood-hit areas in Somalia, and humanitarian assistance was dispatched to nearly 80,000 people affected by the earthquake in Myanmar.
On 1st September, the UAE announced urgent aid for 960 families impacted by floods on Yemen’s West Coast, including shelter tents, food, and essential relief items to help alleviate the hardships faced by affected communities.
Additionally, the UAE Aid Agency and the Government of Chad signed an agreement to establish the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Hospital and a dialysis centre in N’Djamena, aimed at providing advanced healthcare and dialysis services.
This year has also seen the launch of several global humanitarian initiatives, such as the Fathers’ Endowment campaign, with proceeds supporting healthcare for underprivileged communities, hospital development, and the provision of essential medicines.
(Inputs from WAM)
