Page 164 - UAE Foreign Aid Report 2022

United Arab Emirates
164
Foreign Aid Report 2022

Aid Allocation Overview

In 2022, the Sharjah Charity Association further society institutions, executing a significant 72% of
cemented its reputation as one of the UAE’s most its 2022 projects through these partnerships. Such
dedicated foreign aid donors. Such intent was clear, alliances amplify the efficacy of aid by harnessing the
with disbursements reaching AED 239.2 million deep-rooted expertise and nuanced understanding that
(USD 65.1 million), demonstrating a remarkable 63% these entities bring to the table, ensuring that every
increase from the previous year. dirham spent has the maximum potential impact.
With an outreach that spanned 42 developing nations, The remaining projects were managed directly by
this Association’s steadfast commitment to addressing the Association. Globally, Bangladesh, Ghana, and
pressing global challenges was evident. It earmarked Tajikistan stood out as primary recipients, drawing over
a substantial AED 124.5 million (USD 33.9 million) 40% of the year’s aid disbursements.
– over half of its total disbursements – for 22 of the In alignment with global ambitions, the Sharjah Charity
world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs). This was Association directed its resources to champion six of
supplemented by a notable allocation of AED 101.0 the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The
million (USD 27.5 million) to 11 lower-middle-income focus was predominantly on SDGs 11 (Sustainable
nations, underscoring the Association’s keen insight Cities and Communities), SDG 1 (No Poverty), and SDG
into global economic challenges and its proactive 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), capturing over 95% of
approach to addressing them. the 2022 allocation – a testament to the strategic and
Sharjah Charity Association’s modus operandi is mission-driven approach.
grounded in providing grant funding, its sole mode of Taking a broader view over the past five years, from
foreign aid delivery. The allocation breakdown for 2022 2018-2022, Sharjah Charity Association’s unwavering
reveals a strategic and compassionate approach: 60% commitment to fostering global progress shines
channeled into charitable activities, 39% funneled into through. The cumulative foreign aid contribution over
vital development projects, and the remainder set aside this period reached AED 826.6 million (USD 225.0
for urgent humanitarian and emergency relief. million), solidifying its reputation as a true beacon of
Believing in the strength of synergy, the Association benevolence in the international philanthropic arena.
collaborated extensively with national NGOs and civil

Allocation Insights

01 Social Services

In 2022, the Social Services Sector remained at the the quality of life for the underprivileged remains the
forefront of Sharjah Charity Association’s philanthropic Association’s keystone ambition. Thus, the bulk of
endeavors, echoing the consistency seen in previous this sector’s allocation—AED 130.6 million (USD 35.5
years. Encompassing a wide array of programs, this million)—was meticulously distributed across two
sector underscores the Association’s holistic approach pivotal subsectors: social welfare services and assorted
to societal betterment, spanning from social welfare basic social services, which combined constituted 75%
services and building religious sites to seasonal of the sector’s entire fund.
programmes. With an earmarked AED 175.3 million The scope of the Association’s work in 2022 was vast.
(USD 47.7 million) in 2022, this pivotal sector claimed A notable effort was the continued support to 21,000
an impressive 73% of the Association’s total budget, orphans, alongside managing six orphanages and a
exemplifying its unwavering commitment to improve charitable community kitchen. The Association also
the conditions of the needy and vulnerable. funded an elderly education initiative, constructed over
Bangladesh, Ghana, and Egypt stood as testament to 100 homes for impoverished families, and extended
this commitment, being the primary beneficiaries of financial support to more than 230 families.
this support. Collectively, they absorbed nearly half Furthermore, the “Juffair Al Khair” projects stand out,
of the sector-specific funding for that year. Elevating exemplifying the Association’s visionary approach.