UAE ranked world's No.1 in foreign aid for second year

The UAE ranked as the world's largest donor of official development aid during 2014, relative to its national income. According to figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC), official development aid provided by the country hit Dh18 billion, being 1.17 per cent of gross national income. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has said that the UAE’s renewed position as the most generous aid donor in the world reflected the nation’s founding principles of unconditional support for those in need. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was commenting on a new report from the OECD, which ranked the UAE number one globally for development aid as a share of its economy, for a second consecutive year. A press statement issued by the UAE Ministry of International and Cooperation Development (Mica) said that the UAE gave Dh18 billion ($4.89 billion) in 2014, equivalent to 1.17 per cent of gross national income. The statement quoted Sheikh Mohammed paying tribute to the generous spirit of the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. "This confirms the UAE's commitment to its global development mission and to the principles on which this nation was founded. We will continue to reinforce our position as a global hub for humanitarian relief for all those in need of our help," Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid pointed out that besides its strong levels of official development aid, the UAE is also home to numerous humanitarian and charitable institutions and host to a global humanitarian city. He emphasised that the UAE does not offer assistance conditionally, and cares only to promote welfare and stability for all people people. "The UAE was founded on the principle of doing good. Its leaders have always been passionate about helping people. We expect nothing in return for we are driven and guided by the principles of Islam and our Emirati national values," Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, issued a statement on the occasion of the naming of the UAE as the biggest foreign aid provider in the world relative to its gross domestic income. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said, "The people and leadership of the UAE are faithfully following the footsteps of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the nation, who served as a living example of giving and a role model for universal fraternity." Sheikh Mohamed added that the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ensured that these values live on. Sheikh Mohamed stressed that the UAE is adding yet another achievement to its long record of giving by leading the world for the second year in a row as the largest foreign aid provider relative to its GDP. He said that this historic achievement marks the birth of a new map of donor nations and brings new meanings to human kindness. "The announcement of the UAE as the world’s largest donor country of official development assistance for two years in a row testifies to the determination and sound vision of our wise leadership, as represented by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, towards joining in international efforts for development, supporting humanitarian response to crises and disasters and committing to humanitarian advocacy efforts to help create a better, decent life for humanity", Sheikh Mohamed added. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said that the UAE is a major influential partner in development programmes around the world through the provision of all support channels, and has contributed to humanitarian and development works in developing countries and communities. Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed that the UAE has made several achievements in humanitarian and charitable works, and contributed, both alone and alongside UN authorities and organisations, to relieving and reassuring our fellow humans who are hit by crises and disasters, affected by severe poverty or destitution and the threat of famines, and those displaced by wars and conflicts, and no less importantly to the victims of epidemic and contagious diseases, in addition to its strong presence in international forums and meetings. "Today, we witness the positive outcomes of the UAE’s development projects and humanitarian support channels throughout the world’s regions and countries. Such projects and channels were built on the UAE’s humanitarian mission and ethical responsibility towards the needy and the disaster-stricken", he said. He added that the UAE has contributed to supporting healthcare projects in developing countries and joined efforts to eradicate diseases and epidemics that threaten the lives of millions of people, particularly with regards to polio and malaria, in addition to the provision of much-needed vaccinations for child