Page 149 - UAE Foreign Aid Report 2022

Section 05
149
UAE Donors

Allocation Insights

01 Social Services

In 2022, the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) Additionally, financial reprieve reached thousands
continued its pronounced emphasis on bolstering of at-risk and vulnerable families. The ERC’s
the Social Services Sector, earmarking a significant strategic funding not only secured immediate
portion of its foreign assistance towards this needs like food but also promoted activities
critical sector. Financial allocations dedicated geared towards long-term financial sustainability.
to this realm – which encapsulates endeavors This took the form of support for small-scale
from social welfare services to low-cost housing enterprises such as retail outlets, tailoring
projects – reached AED 354.3 million (USD 96.4 establishments, local farming initiatives, livestock
million). This figure, which accounts for 56% provisions including sheep, goats, and cows, as
of the ERC’s entire disbursements that year, well as endeavors in fishing, honey production,
underscores ERC’s unwavering commitment to and horticultural nurseries. This holistic approach
societal upliftment. was further exemplified by the ERC underwriting
medical expenses for impoverished families,
The ERC’s ongoing mission has always been ensuring warmth during colder months via
intricately tied to enhancing the quality of life blankets, heaters and clothing, and offering
for the world’s most vulnerable populations. monthly cash stipends to those most in need.
This mission revolves around a multi-pronged
approach: bridging societal divides, bolstering In parallel with these expansive endeavors, the
social inclusion, and ensuring that marginalized UAE made tangible contributions to the housing
communities, as well as individuals, are domain, funding the construction of 128 affordable
empowered with the resources and opportunities homes in Pahang, Malaysia. True to its legacy of
essential for a prosperous existence. Within the charitable outreach, the ERC continued its time-
Social Services Sector, two vital subsectors— honored tradition of giving during the Holy Month
social welfare services and an assortment of of Ramadan. In 2022, ERC’s seasonal programme
basic social services—emerged as the mainstays initiatives amounted to AED 18.5 million (USD 5.0
of the ERC’s 2022 aid. Together, they commanded million). A noteworthy exemplar of this program’s
nearly 80% of the ERC’s sectoral contributions, impact was in Yemen, where over seven million
aggregating to a considerable AED 276.3 million individuals across several Yemeni governorates—
(USD 75.2 million). including Shabwa, Hadramwt, Taez, Hodeidah,
Aden, and Socotra—were beneficiaries. Just
The efficacy of this substantial funding was vividly in time for the Holy Month, recipients received
seen in 2022. Through these resources, the ERC clothing, food, and other humanitarian aid,
extended its benevolent arm to support upwards encapsulating the spirit of charity and community
of 175,000 orphans. This assistance enveloped that Ramadan epitomizes. 21
a wide spectrum of needs, ranging from annual
expenditures within orphanages to pivotal health
and education necessities.