Page 190 - UAE Foreign Aid Report 2022

United Arab Emirates
190
Foreign Aid Report 2022

Aid Allocation Overview

The International Humanitarian City (IHC) in Dubai 30,000 square meters, it now spans a sprawling 135,000
stands as a pivotal global center for humanitarian square meters. Such proximity and expansiveness
logistics and emergency response coordination. In enable members to seamlessly transition shipments
2022 alone, the IHC allocated a significant AED 52.5 from sea to air in a mere 10 minutes. This logistical
million (USD 14.3 million) toward international aid. advantage, compounded by Dubai’s geographical
A significant portion of this budget, over 80%, was centrality, allows IHC and its members to expediently
strategically directed toward multi-country initiatives reach two-thirds of the global population residing in
aimed at tackling global challenges. The remaining hazard-prone zones within a timeframe of 4-8 hours.
funds were allocated to targeted humanitarian and
emergency relief projects in six countries. While the IHC’s reach is undeniably global, it placed
special emphasis in 2022 on nations like Pakistan,
Consistent with its mission and past endeavors, the IHC Afghanistan, and Libya. Their commitment to global
collaborated with an array of partners, from international change is further evidenced by their support for 6 out
and multilateral organizations to grassroots national of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil a predominant focus on SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero
society organizations (CSOs). A unique facet of IHC is Hunger), and 3 (Good Health and Well-being). These
its distinctive makeup: it is not just a hub, but a non- three goals alone absorbed more than 90% of IHC’s
profit, independent, humanitarian free-zone authority. total aid contributions for that year.
IHC hosts a thriving community of approximately 80
members, which includes United Nations entities, non- Over the last five years, from 2018-2022, the IHC has
profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, displayed an enduring commitment to its mission,
and even commercial companies. This dynamic blend disbursing an aggregate sum of AED 322.1 million (USD
fosters a synergy that accelerates aid delivery and 87.7 million) in grant funding to facilitate and deliver
maximizes impact. humanitarian endeavors globally. This cumulative
financial support underscores the IHC’s role as a key
Strategically positioned near Al Maktoum Airport and player in orchestrating and executing humanitarian
in close proximity to Jebel Ali Port, IHC’s facility has assistance on an international scale.
undergone a massive expansion. From its original size of

Allocation Insights

01 Humanitarian Services

The International Humanitarian City (IHC) in Dubai is not global emergency preparedness and response
just a nexus for approximately 80 of the world’s premier mechanisms. To date, this databank serves as a
humanitarian and emergency response organizations; centralized platform, offering insights into humanitarian
it is also a catalyst for collective and coordinated aid stocks and their flows. With the integration of
action. As crises around the globe intensify, the IHC automated tracking, the databank pulls real-time
amplifies its efforts, offering specialized services like data from ports, airports, and other points of entry,
complimentary airlifts for transporting critical aid and ensuring stakeholders have a transparent view of
for evacuating staff members from hazardous zones. crucial relief items like food, medicines, and shelters.
Furthermore, it offers an evacuation center specifically This transparency fosters seamless collaboration,
designed to accommodate these evacuated personnel, minimizing delays and congestion at major logistical
thereby ensuring their safety and well-being. touchpoints, which is pivotal during crises.
In 2018, the IHC unveiled the ground-breaking
Humanitarian Logistics Databank, aiming to fortify