Page 124 - UAE Foreign Aid Report 2022

United Arab Emirates
124
Foreign Aid Report 2022

Ethiopia

Situated in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is a country steeped in history and cultural significance. Yet, it faces profound
development and humanitarian challenges in the present era. As per the 2022 Ethiopia Humanitarian Response
Plan (HRP), over 20 million Ethiopians require humanitarian assistance. Particularly vulnerable are women and
children, who account for nearly three-quarters of this distressing statistic. 16

Compounding the natural calamities, conflicts have led to massive displacements within the country. Currently,
Ethiopia grapples with a staggering 5.5 million internally displaced people (IDPs), further straining its already
stretched resources and infrastructure.
The nation is also contending with its
harshest drought in four decades, which
profoundly affects millions in its southern
and eastern territories. This environmental
crisis has exacerbated food scarcity, pushing
an overwhelming 20 million inhabitants into
severe food insecurity. These circumstances
highlight the pressing need for robust
international collaboration to provide
immediate relief and to support Ethiopia in
its long-term developmental aspirations.
USD 182.3 million

Aid Allocation Overview
In 2022, Ethiopia emerged as the fourth-highest recipient of the UAE’s foreign assistance, securing 5% of the
UAE’s overall foreign aid budget, which translates to a substantial AED 669.7 million (USD 182.3 million). Notably,
this support reflected more than a tenfold surge from the funds allocated by the UAE to Ethiopia just a year prior.

A vast majority of the aid, approximately 99.5%, was dispensed as grants. One notable exception was the allocation
of a concessional loan dedicated to a road construction project. In terms of assistance category, over half was
dedicated to bolstering Ethiopia’s development projects. Simultaneously, humanitarian endeavors received nearly
equal focus, accounting for 50% of the aid, with the residual funds being channeled towards philanthropic and
charitable endeavors.

Reflecting on the span of five years, from 2018 to 2022, the cumulative aid disbursed to Ethiopia from the UAE
reached AED 4.75 billion (USD 1.29 billion), attesting to a sustained commitment to Ethiopia’s sustainable
development.