Page 104 - UAE Foreign Aid Report 2022

United Arab Emirates
104
Foreign Aid Report 2022

Allocation Insights

01 General Budget Support

In 2022, the UAE reinforced its commitment to LDCs in 2022 saw a significant nearly threefold growth
supporting Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by compared to 2021.
directing 33% of its foreign assistance to LDCs towards
the essential sector of general budget support. This The primary beneficiaries of this bilateral assistance
sector, which the UAE earmarked AED 1.12 billion in 2022 were South Sudan, and Yemen. The focus on
(USD 303.8 million) for LDCs in 2022, underscores the these nations underscores the UAE’s strategic vision
importance of empowering LDCs to spearhead their in assisting countries that have considerable socio-
own developmental trajectories. By funding general economic challenges and are keen on leveraging
budget support, the UAE not only provides a financial external support to propel their respective development
boost but also entrusts recipient nations with the agendas forward. By doing so, the UAE reaffirms its
autonomy to manage these resources in alignment role as a responsible global actor that prioritizes a
with their national development goals and priorities. collaborative approach to tackling shared challenges
The significance of this approach becomes more and advancing global prosperity.
evident when the UAE’s general budget support to

02 Commodity Aid

In 2022, the UAE underscored its commitment to Yemen emerged as the primary beneficiaries of these
addressing immediate humanitarian needs and food initiatives in 2022, signifying the UAE’s strategic focus
security challenges by channeling a substantial portion on areas grappling with acute food shortages.
of its aid towards commodity aid for Least Developed
Countries (LDCs). In parallel, the UAE recognized the importance of
fortifying these countries against future food crises and
With an allocation of AED 554.9 million (USD 151.1 shortages by allocating AED 50.9 million (13.9 million)
million) in grants, this aid to 26 LDCs primarily centered to food security programmes, reaching 23 LDCs.
on emergency provisions such as food, multi-sector Majority of this aid was channelled to Ethiopia, Niger,
aid, and shelter-related necessities, as well as food Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Such initiatives indicate
security programmes, accounting for 17% of the UAE’s a two-pronged approach, balancing immediate relief
total assistance to LDCs for the year. with efforts to bolster long-term food security.

Emergency food aid was paramount among these relief Furthermore, the UAE dedicated AED 76.9 million
efforts, constituting 77% of the commodity aid sector. (USD 20.9 million) towards a blend of emergency
This predominance is emblematic of the pressing multi-sector aid and provisions for emergency shelter
food security issues faced by many LDCs. The UAE’s and non-food items. This funding reached 10 LDCs
involvement went beyond mere monetary support, and reveals a holistic approach to emergency relief,
with on-ground projects facilitating the distribution of considering both immediate needs and more extended
thousands of food baskets and significant tons of food support structures. Ethiopia and Sudan received 78%
items to 10 LDCs. Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, and of this funding.