Abu Dhabi, UAE – The UAE celebrates Zayed Humanitarian Day on Sunday.
Which falls on the 19th of the holy month of Ramadan, and corresponds to the anniversary of the passing of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God bless his soul.
Zayed Humanitarian Day stands out as an annual occasion that embodies the UAE’s deep commitment to the legacy of the founding leader, who has become a global symbol of giving and humanity.
During his reign, the UAE became at the forefront of donor countries for humanitarian and relief aid, strengthening its position as a major supporter of those in need around the world.
In 1971, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, founded the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, which is the best witness to the UAE’s commitment to development and assistance in all parts of the world.
In 1992, he launched the Zayed Sultan Al Nahyan Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Works, which was given its new name, the Zayed Charity Foundation, to continue its journey of humanitarian giving inside and outside the country.
These efforts embody the unlimited giving of Sheikh Zayed, who left clear imprints on various levels of humanitarian work, as attested by facts and figures.
The value of humanitarian and development aid from the UAE to the world from 1971 to 2004 amounted to about 90.5 billion dirhams.
In this context, Sheikh Zayed received many medals and decorations in recognition of his humanitarian efforts, such as the “Golden Document” from the International Organization for Foreigners in Geneva in 1985. In addition to the “Man of the Year Medal” in Paris in 1988.
The League of Arab States also awarded him the “Man of Development Scarf” in 1993, and the Association of Moroccan Historians the “Golden Medal of Arab History” in 1995.
Sheikh Zayed’s achievements in the field of humanitarian and relief work remain alive in everyone’s conscience.
As the UAE continues to follow the path of giving that it established by launching many humanitarian and charitable initiatives that include providing food aid, development projects, and supporting refugees. Empowering vulnerable groups, in addition to strengthening the health and education sectors in less fortunate countries.
This year, the occasion coincides with the UAE continuing to implement a series of prominent humanitarian initiatives during the holy month of Ramadan.
Which translates Sheikh Zayed’s approach, may God have mercy on him, in giving, including the “11.5: Limit Life” campaign to save five million children from hunger in the world, and the Ramadan programs of the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, from which more than 1.5 million people will benefit this year within the UAE and in 44 countries around the world.
Significant support for Gaza and Sudan
The UAE continues to provide humanitarian support to our Palestinian brothers in the Gaza Strip.
Last February, during the inaugural meeting of the Peace Council, it announced the provision of an additional $1.2 billion to support Gaza through the Council.
Data from the Humanitarian Funding Tracking Service platform of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs revealed that the UAE topped the list of countries most supportive of the residents of the Gaza Strip throughout the years 2024, 2025, and the first weeks of 2026.
This represents approximately 50% of total international aid, with the value of aid exceeding $4.2 billion.
The UAE also continues its firm commitment to ensuring that basic life-saving needs reach civilians affected by the devastating civil war in Sudan.
It recently pledged US$500 million to respond to urgent humanitarian needs there.
The UAE’s support is in addition to the state’s aid to Sudan over the past decade, which exceeded $4.24 billion.
Including humanitarian aid worth US$800 million since 2023.
