According to data published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the UAE has been ranked as the world's largest donor of official development aid, relative to its national income.
OECD statistics say that in 2016, UAE aid reached 15.57 billion dirhams ($4.24 billion), which represents 1.21 percent of the country’s gross national income (GNI).
The statistics also show that 58 percent of aid provided by the UAE was given in the form of grants. Coming in second place behind the UAE was Norway, which contributed 1.12 percent of its GNI, Luxembourg, which contributed 1 percent and Sweden, which contributed 0.94 percent.
Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs, said that the UAE’s place in the ranking was the result of successful policies implemented by Sheikh Khalifa, as well as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Emirates News Agency reports.
More than 1.5 billion dirhams was given to charity by the private sector alone
The data comes as it was revealed that The Year of Giving resulted in about 275,000 volunteers taking part in charitable activities across the country, spending 2.8 million hours contributing to good causes, according to an end of year report by the Government.
More than 1.5 billion dirhams was given by the private sector alone.
Amongst the initiatives was the Reaching the Last Mile forum in November, which was dedicated to eradicating diseases such as malaria and polio.
At the event that was held in Abu Dhabi, a $100 million fund was announced with the goal of wiping out many of the world's deadliest diseases. At the time, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed contributed $20 million.
The Year of Giving was launched last year by Sheikh Khalifa with three areas of focus: corporate social responsibility, volunteering and serving the nation. The year-long initiative was inspired by the example of the country’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed, and 2018 has been declared the Year of Zayed.
