In 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continued to lead the global humanitarian stage with a remarkable portfolio of aid, development, and relief efforts. Far beyond emergency response, the UAE focused on long-term humanitarian strategies that empowered vulnerable communities and enhanced lives across continents.
Among the Top Humanitarian Donors Globally
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UAE ranked as the world’s third-largest humanitarian donor in 2025, contributing $1.46 billion. This reaffirms the country’s unwavering commitment to global solidarity and its strategic approach to aid that goes beyond short-term fixes.
Gaza: A Historic Response to an Ongoing Crisis
The UAE delivered one of the most comprehensive humanitarian responses to the Gaza crisis since its escalation. By early December 2025, over AED 9.4 billion worth of aid was provided, including:
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100,000+ tons of essential supplies
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2 million gallons of clean water
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Evacuation and medical care for 3,000 patients and companions
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Treatment for 54,000 individuals at the UAE’s field hospital in Gaza
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21,000 people treated aboard the UAE’s floating hospital in Al Arish
Continued Support for Sudan
Since the Sudanese crisis began in 2023, the UAE’s aid has exceeded $784 million, including a recent $15 million donation to the UNHCR to support refugees. Over the past decade (2015–2025), Sudan has received more than $4.24 billion in UAE aid, making the UAE the second-largest donor to the country.
Empowering Yemen Through Humanitarian and Development Projects
From direct relief to infrastructure support, the UAE deepened its engagement in Yemen. Highlights include:
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Ramadan food aid in Mukalla
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Malnutrition intervention programs in Socotra (in partnership with WHO)
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Emergency aid for 960 flood-affected families on the western coast
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Distribution of food baskets and the inauguration of a new school in Hadramaut
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Launch of the “School Bag Project” in Taiz and Hodeidah
In a transformative move, the UAE allocated $1 billion to boost Yemen’s energy sector, supporting renewable projects like Aden and Shabwa power stations, which are expected to supply clean electricity to over a million homes.
Facilitating Peace and Welfare in Ukraine
The UAE played a key mediation role in the Ukraine crisis, facilitating the exchange of 4,641 prisoners between Russia and Ukraine. Furthering its support, the UAE’s International Aid Agency signed a $4.5 million agreement with the Olena Zelenska Foundation to enhance orphan care infrastructure, building on an earlier phase that established fully equipped care centers.
Extending Aid Across Continents
The UAE’s reach extended to regions struck by climate and conflict-related disasters:
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Somalia: 700 tons of food aid for flood victims
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Chad: Over 1,000 tons of assistance benefiting 150,000 flood-affected people
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Winter relief campaigns in Albania and Bangladesh
Relief missions were also dispatched to Myanmar, the Philippines, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, and the UAE pledged $10 million to support those affected in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries.
UN Coordination and Future Commitments
In a bold humanitarian pledge, the UAE announced $550 million towards the UN’s 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan, aiming to assist 135 million people across 23 crises globally, with a total fundraising goal of $33 billion.
Investment in Health and Infrastructure
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Uganda: $20 million allocated to build a state-of-the-art ophthalmology hospital in Entebbe
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East Jerusalem: $64.5 million grant to support Al-Makassed Hospital
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Chad: Agreement signed to build Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Hospital and a dialysis center over 11,000 square meters
Empowering Refugees and Youth
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Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives contributed an additional AED 36.7 million to UNHCR, bringing total refugee aid since 2021 to AED 163.6 million
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Through “The Digital School” and the Ataya Project, the UAE launched Skills Academies to train 5 million African youth in job-ready digital and technical skills
Innovative Philanthropic Campaigns in 2025
Humanitarian innovation was another hallmark of 2025, with campaigns that channeled public goodwill into impactful action:
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“Father’s Endowment” Campaign: Established a charitable fund to provide free healthcare to the underprivileged
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“Food Bank Ramadan Initiative”: 1 million meals delivered through rescued surplus food
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“Life Endowment” Campaign: Raised AED 509 million in just two weeks to support patients with chronic diseases
A Landmark Humanitarian Project
The launch of the “Mohammed bin Rashid Endowment District” marked a new era in philanthropic urban development. Built over 2 million square feet with AED 4.7 billion in investments, this is the first fully-integrated endowment neighborhood in the region. Its proceeds will fund global education and healthcare projects.
