Zayed the Generous: Icon of global charity and humanitarianism

Today, the UAE celebrates the death anniversary of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates and a man of good deeds, may Allah have mercy on him.

The Emirati Humanitarian Work Day is held each year in his loving memory and aims to inculcate the spirit of giving and philanthropy he exemplified. This initiative was launched by the UAE Cabinet to highlight the key role played by the late Sheikh Zayed in supporting global charitable events and his acts of goodness and kindness for future generations to appreciate and emulate, according to a report by Ministry of International Cooperation and Development.

The whole world recognizes Sheikh Zayed's huge influence in fostering goodness.

He was a man who gave without expecting anything in return, one who translated every good thing he knew into action. He directed assistance to all countries and peoples suffering from poverty or lack of decent living conditions regardless of race, sex, language or religion.

His vision always extended beyond the borders of the UAE and prioritized moral values, as reflected in his untiring support for charity and philanthropy. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, all the other Rulers of the Emirates, and all UAE citizens and residents, have continued to walk in the footsteps of the late leader. Because of the late Sheikh Zayed's generous vision, the UAE is now regarded as one of the world's most charitable countries.

History stands witness to the brilliant decisions of the late Sheikh Zayed, one of which was his passing of a resolution to establish the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development in 1971. At a time when he was still laying the foundations of the UAE's union, charity and giving still managed to occupy his mind. The inception of the Fund marked a major milestone at that time and sent a strong message to the whole world that the United Arab Emirates cherished its philanthropic and charitable heritage. That this federation of seven emirates, even at its nascent stages, aspired to cooperation and integration for the benefit of all the peoples and the nations of the world.

The late Sheikh Zayed fully grasped Islam's compassion for the needy. He never hesitated to extend assistance to the global community and was a pioneer in humanitarian work.

The figures clearly indicate the success of the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed in supporting development and providing humanitarian aid. From 1971 to 2004, the UAE gave AED 90.5 billion worth of aid in various forms to 117 countries around the world.

The figures reveal that the UAE provided development and humanitarian aid totaling AED 90.4 billion from 1971 to 2004. Government aid accounted for the largest percentage at over AED 73 billion, followed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, an autonomous institution owned by the Abu Dhabi Government to help developing countries achieve growth and development through assistance in the form of concessionary loans, at AED 15.3 billion.

Another major source of aid, the UAE Red Crescent Authority, accounted for AED 1.3 billion, followed by the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation with over AED 450 million dirhams, the Al Maktoum Foundation with AED 295.3 million, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment.

The founding of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development was followed by a number of initiatives launched by the late Sheikh Zayed to institutionalize the foreign aid sector, improve the viability of aid, and promote responsibility. Today, the UAE is home to more than 40 donor organizations and humanitarian and charity foundations that provide aid to all countries and peoples in need.

Despite being a relatively young nation, the UAE managed to rank 16th globally in the proportion of foreign assistance it provides in relation to its Gross National Income (GNI). This is a remarkable feat that reflects global recognition of the exceptional path of goodness laid out by the late Sheikh Zayed. It highlights the genuine charitable values he instilled in us and is the fruit of his passion for rescuing the needy and developing the capacities and resources of other countries.

Monitoring charity: On the occasion of Emirati Humanitarian Work Day, the UAE Ministry of International Cooperation and Development, as part of its task to oversee and coordinate the foreign aid sector, deems the issuance of a report that reviews the most prominent aspects of UAE foreign and humanitarian aid from 1971 to 2004 of great importance. Although he passed away in 2004, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy upon him, remains alive in our hearts. We continue to be inspired by his actions, his good qualities and charitable philosophy. We promise to God that we shall walk in his footsteps.

Institutionalization of the foreign aid sector: The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan ordered the institutionalization of the foreign aid sector in order to enhance delivery to beneficiary countries. This initiative sought to create a regulated system of institutions that do humanitarian work and provide assistance to countries around the world.

He also established a large number of donor organizations and humanitarian and charitable institutions led by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development which commenced operations on July 15, 1971. Its purpose was to provide assistance to developing and friendly countries and support their efforts to achieve economic and social development Through the establishment of the Fund, the UAE has been able to institutionalize its foreign aid policies and distribute aid in an efficient and regular manner which ultimately maximizes benefits to recipients.

The UAE Red Crescent Authority was established in 1983 as the entity in charge of providing humanitarian assistance. The authority has worked hard to extend aid to several countries affected by various undesirable situations, in keeping with the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It has also responded to international appeals issued by organizations worldwide.

The humanitarian landscape began to evolve in the 1980s with the establishment of entities such as the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation. Today, there are more than 40 UAE-based donor organizations and humanitarian and charitable foundations providing aid to all countries and peoples in need.

All of them adhere to the humanitarian foundations set by the late Sheikh Zayed. They have helped uplift the UAE as one of the world's most charitable countries.

Giving and Inclusiveness: A map without borders: The Charity Map: The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's approach to charity did not distinguish between race, sex, language or religion: it sought to benefit all human beings. Figures reveal that 117 countries have benefited from development, humanitarian and charitable aid provided by the United Arab Emirates.

Regional Aid Map: He also wanted to ensure the feasibility of aid plans and the achievement of the best possible results. This could only be attained through a holistic approach that does not exclude other developmental sectors in the targeted developing countries. The figures reveal that a total of 21 sectors representing key economic segments affecting the basic needs of citizens in the needs of citizens in the countries that received UAE's aid and assistance were targeted from 1971 to 2004.

Sectors Targeted for UAE Foreign Aid (1971-2004) Government and Civil Society received AED 70,780,589,800, Social Services AED 2,035,450,177, Financial and Banking Services AED 36,730,000, Agriculture AED 2,651,750,272, Tourism AED 84,938,807, Health AED 803,461,972, Industry AED 871,564,238, Humanitarian Aid and Emergency Relief AED 1,076,145,073, Commodity Aid AED 4,171,210, Mineral Resources and Mining AED 769,441,013, Water and Sanitation AED 898,273,477, Transport and Storage AED 4,229,473,384, Infrastructure Development AED 2,018,403,308, Energy Generation and Supply AED 1,463,892,226, Business Services AED 365,577,932, Public Programmes Support AED 160,657,800 and Fishing AED 23,443,549.

Building and Development Vision: The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had an ambitious vision to provide aid to developing countries all over the world. This vision primarily sought to strengthen national development capacities that combine to form a firm foundation for a decent life and a strong nation and serve as effective tools for building a secure future for the coming generations. The late Sheikh Zayed was keen to help the people affected by humanitarian challenges and emergency crises all over the world.

The statistics indicate that development aid provided by the UAE between 1971 and 2004 come first in the list and amount to more than AED 89 billion. This is followed by humanitarian aid at AED1.1 billion and charity aid at around AED 267 million. The majority of the development aid went to infrastructure projects in the target countries - including residential communities, dams, health sector developments, schools, agricultural developments - as well as enhancements to other development capacities in various sectors. These have had a deep, positive impact on the development plans and strategies of the target countries and their peoples.

UAE Foreign Aid Categories 1971-2004 The value of Development Aid stood at AED 89,146,338,442, Humanitarian AED 1,076,145,073 and Charity AED 267,136,078.

Positive Impacts: Enhancing Peoples' Life The projects that have been funded and directed to support development capacities and effectively respond to disasters have been highly influential in improving the standards of living of the target countries. Beneficiaries have been able to implement selected development projects and provide relief and emergency assistance to people affected by crises such as earthquakes, volcanoes and famines. Here we mention some of key projects: Egypt: Sheikh Zayed Canal in Egypt The construction of the Sheikh Zayed Canal for transporting water from the Nile to the desert in Toshka and the north coast of Alexandria has been completed. The ambitious project will convert the arid valleys in the region into agricultural lands and boost animal production, adding 540,000 acres to Egypt's agricultural area.

The UAE funded this project through a generous grant authorized by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with follow-up orders from His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. An amount of AED 368 million, equivalent to USD 100 million, was set aside for the construction of the Sheikh Zayed Canal, which constitutes part of the South Valley Development Project in Toshka. It was implemented under the direct supervision of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). The grant was mainly used for the construction of canal section 3, the construction of three major lift irrigation stations and development of experimental farmlands in Toshka, and the provision of advisory services.

Canal section 3 can irrigate about 100,000 acres within the integrated irrigation system envisaged for the development of the southern valley, which will eventually supply 500,000 acres. The section covers an area of over 24 kilometers with widths of between 6 and 8 meters. It also contains 4 gates and 7 bridges to discharge about 50 cubic meters/ per second. It has been lined with concrete to prevent water leakage and ensure long-term continuity of work with high efficiency. The project also includes a service road along the canal.

This strategic project will create a new delta in the region running parallel to the Nile and will develop 540,000 acres of agricultural lands irrigated with Nile water through the Sheikh Zayed Canal which will contain about 5.5 billion cubic meters of water per annum. The cost of the project is estimated at about EGP 4.014 billion.

The UAE funded this project through a generous grant authorized by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with follow-up orders from H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. An amount of AED 368 million, equivalent to USD 100 million, was set aside for the construction of the Sheikh Zayed Canal, which constitutes part of the South Valley Development Project in Toshka. It was implemented under the direct supervision of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). The grant was mainly used for the construction of canal section 3, the construction of three major lift irrigation stations and development of experimental farmlands in Toshka, and the provision of advisory services.

Canal section 3 can irrigate about 100,000 acres within the integrated irrigation system envisaged for the development of the southern valley, which will eventually supply 500,000 acres. The section covers an area of over 24 kilometers with widths of between 6 and 8 meters. It also contains 4 gates and 7 bridges to discharge about 50 cubic meters/ per second. It has been lined with concrete to prevent water leakage and ensure long-term continuity of work with high efficiency. The project also includes a service road along the canal.

This strategic project will create a new delta in the region running parallel to the Nile and will develop 540,000 acres of agricultural lands irrigated with Nile water through the Sheikh Zayed Canal which will contain about 5.5 billion cubic meters of water per annum. The cost of the project is estimated at about EGP 4.014 billion.

The first phase of the Sheikh Zayed Canal project requires about 5 billion cubic meters of water per year to cultivate around 500,000 acres. The reclamation works and the implementation of advanced irrigation technologies will enable the expansion of agricultural lands. The water share of the project forms part of water initiatives aimed at expanding agricultural land to 3.4 million acres by 2017.

The Fund has divided implementation works into three separate contracts covering Section No. 3 of the canal, pumping stations, and an experimental farm to ensure continuous implementation. To fully benefit from the grant, an agreement was signed to ensure exemptions implementation of projects funded through the grant. The agreement was made between the Government of Egypt, represented by the Ministry of International Cooperation and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.

Sheikh Zayed City in Egypt: Sheikh Zayed City in Egypt is a new metropolitan area and one of new-generation cities built in 1995 through the Sheikh Zayed grant facilitated by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. Sheikh Zayed City is located in the province of Giza and is considered a suburb and a natural extension of Greater Cairo.

The city is fully serviced and supported by high-level facilities such as hospitals, schools, water and electric utilities, and green landscapes covering around 40 per cent of the total area to give the city a natural appeal.

Sheikh Zayed City is divided into 20 districts of four neighborhoods each. A district has its own services and facilities including a mosque, a market and a service center. The neighborhoods vary from middle-level neighborhoods such as No.1, 3, 11 and 13, upper-middle-level neighborhoods such as No.4, part of neighborhood No. 2 and 7, and luxurious neighborhoods. The city has a government medical centre and the Sheikh Zayed Specialized Hospital Morocco Port of Tangiers In February 18, 2003, King Mohammed VI laid the foundation stone for the Port of Tangier project in the presence of HH Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and HH Sheikh Diab bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with a number of ambassadors of Arab and foreign countries and diplomatic figures also in attendance.

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development contributed USD 300 million to the project, which includes the construction of a deepwater port about 35 kilometers east of the city of Tangier. The port will have a corridor entry width of 300 meters and a depth of 16 meters, in addition to a main barrier and secondary barrier along with berth for containers covering 1,100 meters at a depth of 15 meters; a berth for grain 500 meters long and 15 meters deep, and a berth for goods with a length of 450 meters and a depth of 12 meters. It also features two stations for travelers with a length of 200 meters and a depth of 12 meters in addition to a dedicated station for carrier oil and a special shipyard for fishing vessels and marine services. The port is provided with all the equipment necessary to operate effectively.

The Port of Tangier will support the ambitions of the northern regions in particular and Morocco in general to leverage the strategic and pivotal location between Europe and Africa on one hand and the Arab world and Europe on the other hand. The port is a major maritime crossroad and a foundation for promoting the dynamic Moroccan economy thanks to the presence of commercial and industrial free zones. The facility, which will help Moroccan products more easily enter foreign markets, will be able to receive loads of between 20 and 22 million tons per year.

Sheikh Zayed Hospital: The Sheikh Zayed Hospital hospital has 300 beds and operates 24 hours a day. It uses advanced techniques to ensure swift completion of surgical treatment and receives a large number of patients. The hospital is led by a team of 18 professors and 217 doctors and nurses. Although it does not work to full capacity, it has been able to accommodate more than 48 surgeries per day, as it has 12 operating rooms equipped with the latest surgical equipments, in addition to a special center for recovery (Intensive Care Unit) with 25 beds.

The hospital is famous all over Morocco for its visiting professors coming from Switzerland, Canada, USA and France. Its operating rooms are directly connected via TV networks to leading hospitals in 24 countries.

The hospital is considered as a university medical center, as it has classrooms and a main hall with 150 seats to accommodate medical students from Rabat and other cities.

Pakistan Tarbela Dam Located on the northwest borders of Pakistan, Tarbela Dam is built on the Indus River, one of the world's major rivers, only 103 kilometers away from Rawalpindi. Construction of the dam was completed in 1976, at a total value of PKR 18.5 billion.

Tarbela Dam used to be the largest source of power in Pakistan, with a total generating capacity of 3,478 MW. It stands 469 feet tall and 2.264 feet thick at the base.

In 1981, the UAE donated approximately AED 66 million to repair and renovate the Tarbela Dam, including groundwater treatment, engineering services, and supervision.

Yemen Marib Dam In April 1982 the UAE allocated an emergency amount of USD 3 million to help Yemen's flood victims. Knowing that short-term assistance would not solve the problem, the late Sheikh Zayed personally donated the necessary funds to re-build Marib Dam later on that month, thus putting an end to the problem.

In 1984, the UAE gave additional funds to continue work on Marib Dam. In October 2, 1984, the late Sheikh Zayed laid the foundation stone of this project which aimed to cease the devastation caused by floods in Yemen and revive thousands of hectares of arable lands. Two years later, the late Sheikh Zayed inaugurated the Dam which was completed ahead of schedule and has since positively affected many parts of Yemen.

Sheikh Zayed's support for Marib Dam did not stop there, as he also funded the construction of 63 km of major channels, in addition to other sub-channels across the farms in Marib, contributing to the irrigation of 10,000 hectares of crop-rich landscapes.

Sanaa-Marib Highway Completion of the 173 km Sana'a- Marib highway at a total cost of AED 240 million.

Sudan Cotton yarn factory in Al-Hajj Abdullah, Sudan, with a production capacity of 7,700 tons/year of thick yarn and 2,650 tons/year of thin yarn. The factory also contains combed yarn equipment and articles thereof.

Construction of 500 km of railways and maintenance of existing ones, in addition to providing a number of locomotives, wagons, workshops, training centers, technical assistance, and lightning equipment.

Construction of 3,700m Khartoum International Airport runway and accessories thereof, in addition to operation facilities (passengers, goods, services and articles thereof) and a number of maintenance, firefighting and rescue devices and equipment.

Paving of the 675 km long road connecting Khartoum and Port Sudan, which is considered vital for imports and exports.

Consolidating the Culture of Giving: Human and social development experts may conclude that Emirati society was established on the fundamentals of giving and brotherhood, with the culture of giving deeply engraved in individuals and businesses. This is manifested in the active participation in rescue operations organized by UAE-based humanitarian and charitable institutions. This spirit of helping is attributed to the extensive efforts of the late Sheikh Zayed to broaden Emirati thinking and instill future generations with a genuine love for values and traditions.

The late Sheikh Zayed once said: "We believe that the grace of wealth bestowed upon us by the Almighty must be unfolded to encircle our friends and brethren around the world." This is clearly embodied today by the over 40 local organizations working to lend a hand and help others who suffer from harsh living or humanitarian conditions to re-build their dignity and meet their basic needs.

Based on this culture of uplifting the value of the human being wherever he or she may be, the UAE now embraces a wide and diverse network of organizations offering unprecedented dedicated humanitarian services. Members include Noor Dubai which aims to eradicate preventable forms of blindness, Dubai Cares which focuses on children's access to quality primary education in developing countries, and other foundations offering quality-oriented and first-of-its-kind services.

The culture of giving further extends to the UAE's economic and investment community, which has generously supported scholarships and developed intensive social engagement initiatives. Local energy companies such as Masdar have gotten into the act as well through the establishment of clean-energy projects in developing countries.

Arab Identity - Neighboring Countries Firmly believing in the Arab and Islamic identity, the late Sheikh Zayed always gave serious consideration to Arab countries and peoples, helping them to establish development project such as residential cities, water projects, bridges, roads, educational institutions and many more. The sister state of Egypt, for one, received a total AED 15.9 billion in foreign aid from the UAE between 1971 and 2004 to accommodate its growing population and meet its development plans. Statistics show that aid from the late Sheikh Zayed to Egypt increased during the October 1973 war, in order to help the country maintain its economy during those harsh times.

The total amount of aid given to Syria from 1971 to 2004 is estimated at over AED 11 billion; while Morocco received around AED 6.6 billion and Jordan AED 6.5 billion.

Considering it an Arab-wide concern, Sheikh Zayed also directed around AED 3.7 billion in financial aid for the Palestinian conflict during the same period. Most of those funds were directed to the Palestinian peoples under Israeli occupation to provide support for refugees and help build residential cities and infrastructure.

Global Recognition for Zayed the Humanitarian: The foundation laid by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has undoubtedly contributed to the UAE's ranking as a leading good-doer in the world. It placed 16th globally in foreign aid in 2012 as reported by the OECD Development Assistance Committee. In 2010 a World Bank report commended the UAE for being one of the most giving countries worldwide, based on a four-decade study.

The UAE has also been recognized by various Presidents and UN organizations for its humanitarianism, reflecting the deep insight of the late Sheikh Zayed and his unparalleled efforts to keep our beloved country at the forefront of generosity and charity.

Conclusion: Eight years have passed since Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's passing; however, his soul, heritage and insight remain present in the minds and hearts not only of his people, but also of millions of Arab and Islamic peoples around the globe who lived during his era and continue to witness the enduring influence of his ideals. In every country there is a city, school, hospital or bridge bearing the name �Zayed'; there are millions of people whom he rescued from their miseries through humanitarian aid or treatment to eliminate deadly diseases such as GWD, malaria, and many more.

On this solemn occasion, we as organizations, officials, residents and expatriates, must be inspired by the lessons and values laid by our founding father. We have this wonderful opportunity to channel our dedication and passion to move forward, led by the examples set by the late Sheikh Zayed. To renew our promise and loyalty to the wise leadership headed by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and his brothers, members of the Federal Supreme Council, and H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. We promise them our best work, at all levels, to keep our country at the forefront of humanitarian and charitable activities, just like our father always wanted.

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