AED 173 billion value of the UAE's foreign aid since its establishment covering 21 sectors
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AED 1.6 billion UAE aid to Yemen
In the framework of ongoing humanitarian development in Yemen, the United Arab Emirates played a pivotal role in responding to humanitarian crises on the ground in Yemen, thus becoming the second largest donor of humanitarian aid in Yemen globally, according to data released by the UN Financial Tracking Service (FTS).
The total UAE foreign aid granted to Yemen until the end of 2015 amounted to about AED 1.6 billion, dedicated to infrastructure rehabilitation projects to be implemented in Yemen. The process of sending UAE humanitarian aid to Yemen was carried out over four stages aimed at the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Aden and the neighboring provinces, with a focus on electricity, food, health, water, sanitation, fuel, and transport, as well as coordination and support. The aid was distributed to the provinces of Aden, Lahj, Al Dhali, Abyan, Marib, Shabwa, Hadramout, Al Mahr, and Socotra Island.
It is worth mentioning that the total value of UAE aid to Yemen from 1971 to 2015 amounted to AED 6.65 billion.
AED 2.2 billion for the Syrian crisis
In a similar context, Syria has had a large share of UAE aid and support, totaling AED 2.2 billion ($596 million) until the end of 2015.The UAE was at the forefront of countries which came to the aid of the brothers in Syria since 2012.
The UAE’s response to the crisis was implemented in Syria and in countries hosting Syrian refugees like Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, and Egypt, including Palestinian refugees in Syria – amounting to 1.5 million refugees and displaced people in total.
This approach is consistent with the wish of the UAE’s wise leadership, which directed the provision of all forms of assistance and multiplying efforts in support of refugee issues in various countries of the world, as well as urgent response in terms of the delivery of relief aid.
The State's contribution was made through the UN Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan inside Syria, and the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Syrian refugees in neighboring countries like Jordan. At the first, second, and third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria held in Kuwait, the UAE pledged the provision of $460 million.
In order to implement these projects, the State collaborated with international partners to provide humanitarian assistance inside Syria and in neighboring countries aimed at meeting basic humanitarian needs, namely food security and addressing malnutrition suffered by women and children. These international organizations include the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
The State also opened the UAE-Jordanian Mrajib Al Fhood refugee camp and the UAE-funded field hospital in Jordan, and collaborated with a number of countries, including the United Kingdom and Norway, to implement aid projects. The State also set up the Emirati Red Crescent camp for Syrian refugees in northern Iraq.
In this context, the UAE granted around 100,000 visas for Syrians since the start of the crisis in Syria in 2011. About 242,000 Syrians currently reside in the UAE, and most were accommodated in schools and universities and found jobs.