Mohammed bin Zayed: Humanitarian initiatives and development aid that enhance the UAE’s global position

The humanitarian initiatives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, have contributed to strengthening the UAE’s position among the world’s leading countries in providing development and humanitarian aid and charitable work, in line with the approach of the late founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God bless him. His wealth, and within the principles of human brotherhood and the values ​​of tolerance, coexistence and peace that the UAE embraces and contributes to promoting their dissemination at the global level.

His Highness the Head of State, may God protect him, receiving the “Global Humanitarian Figure” award from the Mediterranean Parliament, in May 2024, embodies the extent of global gratitude and appreciation for the role of His Highness and his continued contributions to humanitarian relief efforts around the world, which established his position as one of the most prominent role models. A shining light in the history of humanitarian work.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received this prestigious award, about two months after His Highness Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, presented His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with the “Mubarak Al-Kabeer Necklace”, in appreciation of His Highness’s role in consolidating fraternal relations. between the two countries, and for his efforts to consolidate the bonds of brotherhood and interdependence between the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.

Throughout the year 2024, the leaders, officials and people of the world continued to praise the UAE’s efforts and leadership in supporting humanitarian work, promoting human brotherhood and spreading peace, which culminated in the UAE’s success in concluding a number of mediations to exchange prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, according to which more than 2,484 prisoners were released, which is A large number that embodies an unprecedented diplomatic and humanitarian achievement in a crisis that is witnessing continuous escalation between its two sides. In implementation of the directives of His Highness the President of the State, may God protect him, the UAE launched, in February 2024, the “Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative”, to confront the urgent global challenge represented by water scarcity. The initiative aims to enhance awareness of the importance of the water scarcity crisis and its seriousness at the international level, in addition to accelerating Developing innovative technological solutions to address it, in addition to testing the effectiveness of these solutions to confront this worsening global challenge. The initiative also aims to enhance cooperation with partners and concerned parties in the world to accelerate the pace of technological innovation to deal with water scarcity and expand the scope of international cooperation. And seeking to increase investments aimed at overcoming this challenge for the benefit of current and future generations. On March 1, 2024, a partnership was announced between the “Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative” and the American “X-Prize” Foundation, aiming to launch the “X-Prize” competition to reduce… Water Scarcity,” which the initiative will finance with an amount of $150 million, and includes prizes amounting to a total value of $119 million to motivate innovators around the world to provide and develop effective and sustainable solutions to enhance the efficiency of water scarcity technologies. Water desalination and its cost.

On March 29, 2024, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, ordered the launch of the “Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Initiative” with a value of 20 billion dirhams allocated to humanitarian work in the most needy communities around the world, coinciding with “Zayed Humanitarian Work Day.” » On the 20th anniversary of the passing of the late founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God bless his soul. The launch of the initiative comes as an enhancement of the humanitarian values ​​embodied by Sheikh Zayed, and an extension of his humanitarian legacy and the values ​​of giving and giving that he dedicated by supporting humanitarian work around the world. This global humanitarian initiative aims to provide a better quality of life for the communities most in need to build a prosperous future and achieve sustainable development, and confirms the UAE’s commitment to the approach of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, in contributing to building societies and supporting vulnerable groups, as millions will benefit. Humans of support provided.

At the “Reaching the Last Mile Forum,” which was held on the sidelines of COP28, the UAE joined a number of leaders from African countries and global partners in pledging more than $777 million to combat neglected tropical diseases.

In February 2023, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan directed the launch of Operation “The Gallant Knight 2” to support brothers and friends in Syria and Turkey, as a result of the devastating earthquake that befell the two countries. The operation, which continued until July 13, 2023, is considered one of the most successful operations. The unified operation was implemented by the UAE national institutions. The operation saved dozens of people from under the rubble and treated 13,463 cases. In addition to providing humanitarian aid amounting to 15,164 tons through the air bridge, which included organizing 260 flights, carrying 6,912 tons of urgent aid materials, including tents, basic foods, and medicines, while 8,252 tons of humanitarian aid was transported using four ships. Shipping, to transport relief and reconstruction materials to the affected areas, and on November 5 of last year, His Highness the President of the State, may God protect him, ordered By starting the humanitarian operation “The Gallant Knight 3” to support the brotherly Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip as a result of the emergency circumstances they are going through, the UAE launched an integrated field hospital in the Gaza Strip, and also sent a floating hospital off the coast of the city of Al-Arish to treat sick and injured Palestinians, and established water desalination plants with a capacity Productivity of 1.2 million gallons per day, and bakeries were provided with a production capacity of 12,500-15,000 loaves per hour. The owner directed His Highness the President of the State to host more than 1,000 Palestinians suffering from cancer from the Gaza Strip of various age groups, to receive treatments and all types of health care in state hospitals. His Highness also directed to host more than 1,000 Palestinian children, accompanied by their families, from the Gaza Strip to provide all types of medical and health care. Which they need in state hospitals until they recover and return, and to meet the requirements of the brotherly Palestinian people, His Highness directed on July 9, 2022, By allocating $25 million to support Al-Maqasid Hospital in East Jerusalem to expand the scope of its medical services. His Highness also directed in August of the same year to provide urgent humanitarian aid worth 25 million dirhams to those affected and displaced by torrents and floods in Sudan. He also ordered the provision of urgent relief aid to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Several regions witnessed torrents and floods that resulted in deaths, injuries, and displacement from these areas. On October 18, 2022, His Highness the President ordered the provision of additional humanitarian relief aid worth $100 million to Ukrainian civilians affected by the crisis in Ukraine, based on His Highness’s belief in the importance of human solidarity, especially in situations of war and conflict.

Human health is a top priority for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, as His Highness believes that investing in health is a major priority in the UAE’s development strategy and vision for the future, during the “Covid-19” pandemic, which is considered one of the most difficult health challenges. contemporary times that swept the world. His Highness was quick to extend a helping hand to those near and far, inaugurated hospitals, provided vaccines, established humanitarian cities, and sent aid to the world without distinction or discrimination. The humanitarian aid included More than 2,000 tons of medical supplies were provided by the UAE during the pandemic, via about 200 flights, to 135 countries around the world. The UAE established field hospitals and mobile clinics during the pandemic in Sudan, Guinea, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Lebanon, and Jordan. Turkmenistan, and other countries, and aid was sent to 117 countries from the warehouses of international organizations located in the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, in addition to a donation worth $10 million in in-kind aid from the UAE to the World Health Organization. The UAE continues its multilateral efforts and initiatives to reach a world free of neglected tropical diseases that affect the lives of more than 1.6 billion people, as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, launched in 2017 the “Mile Attainment Fund.” The latter is a multi-donor fund, with allocations amounting to about $500 million to support efforts to eliminate two neglected tropical diseases on the African continent. Since its launch, the Fund has provided more than 100 million treatments and contributed to the training of 1.3 million health workers.

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Natural disasters

The UAE’s move to provide relief to those affected by natural disasters in the world embodies a bright aspect of the humanitarian work of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him. In 2023, the UAE hastened to provide urgent humanitarian and relief aid to those affected by Hurricane Daniel. In Libya, and the earthquake that struck some regions of the sisterly Kingdom of Morocco, it also covered the umbrella of the relief and humanitarian efforts of the UAE. A large number of countries, such as Sudan, Somalia, Mozambique, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Chad, and other countries that witnessed natural disasters or emergency humanitarian crises.

On May 19, 2022, His Highness the President of the State directed the provision of urgent humanitarian aid worth 35 million dirhams to the sisterly Republic of Somalia to support its development efforts. In June of the same year, His Highness also directed the operation of an air bridge carrying integrated food baskets and basic medical supplies, in addition to… A medical team and a field hospital, to relief victims of the Afghanistan earthquake.

Following the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, His Highness the President of the State directed the launch of Operation “The Gallant Knight 2,” which provided treatment to 13.4 thousand cases. On November 5 of last year, His Highness the President ordered the start of Operation “Gallant Knight 3” to support the brotherly Palestinian people in Gaza, which included sending humanitarian and health aid and medicines.

. Launching the “Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Initiative” with a value of 20 billion dirhams, allocated to humanitarian work in the most needy communities around the world.

. The Head of State received the “International Humanitarian Figure” award from the Mediterranean Parliament in 2024.

. Launching the “Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative” to confront the urgent global challenge of water scarcity during February 2024.

. “The Gallant Knight 2 and 3” soothed the wounds of those affected by the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, and supported the brotherly Palestinian people in Gaza.