From war zones to disaster sites, UAE delivers billions of dirhams of humanitarian aid
From delivering thousands of tonnes of aid to Gaza and Sudan to helping communities struck by earthquakes, floods, hunger and disease, the UAE has expanded its humanitarian work across some of the world’s most urgent crises in 2026. The scale of the country’s humanitarian campaigns comes into focus as the UAE marks World Humanitarian Day on Wednesday. Billions of dirhams have been committed to…
In 2026, the United Arab Emirates has augmented its humanitarian efforts across some of the world's most pressing crises, marking World Humanitarian Day with significant accomplishments. Billion-dollar campaigns have targeted issues such as childhood hunger, preventable diseases, and education deprivation globally. Among the most notable initiatives is the Edge of Life campaign, spearheaded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, which amassed over Dh2.82 billion to aid five million children in hunger prevention.
Over 44,000 entities, including individuals, companies, and humanitarian organizations, contributed to this cause.
UAE relief operations persist in Gaza and Sudan, alongside emergency responses to natural disasters in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Sheikh Mohammed also introduced an initiative to eliminate river blindness, projecting to reach seven million direct beneficiaries and 35.4 million indirectly within three years. Education remains a cornerstone of the UAE's international aid, with the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation establishing the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Vocational Education in Senegal, catering to around 1,000 students and providing technical and vocational training.
The Emirates Red Crescent's Ramadan programs in 2026 reached more than 1.5 million people across the UAE and 44 other nations, delivering relief to underprivileged communities. The International Charity Organisation executed humanitarian projects totaling more than Dh353 million in the first half of 2026, encompassing healthcare, education, food, water, and emergency assistance.
The Zayed for Good Foundation, celebrating its 34th anniversary, has extended assistance to over 180 countries since 1992, with cumulative aid exceeding Dh2 billion, supporting relief, food security, community development, infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
The UAE has aided flood victims in Syria, Ghana, and Bangladesh, while the Emirates Red Crescent has rebuilt and rehabilitated homes for families impacted by flooding in Malaysia's Pahang state. Operation Gallant Knight 3 has been operational in the Gaza Strip for 1,000 days, with the UAE providing over $3.89 billion in relief, including more than 126,000 tonnes of aid delivered via more than 770 flights, 25 ships, and 13,000 lorries.
The Step of Hope campaign has supplied prosthetic limbs to 72 amputees in Gaza. The UAE's support for Sudanese people stands at approximately $4.24 billion between 2015 and 2025, with over $800 million in assistance since the current crisis began in 2023. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the UAE ranks second among donors to Sudan, surpassed only by the United States.
The UAE has also mediated between Russia and Ukraine, facilitating 25 prisoner exchanges involving 7,791 individuals in Ukraine.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
