The United Arab Emirates has provided foreign aid totaling AED 13 billion (US$3.5 billion) from early 2021 to mid-August this year.
Yemen was the top recipient of Emirati aid at AED 1.2 billion, according to data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Most of the aid were funneled to public programmes at AED4.5 billion. Healthcare sector projects took over AED 2.6 billion, the data showed.
“Amid the challenges imposed by the pandemic, the UAE has extended its help and stood out as one of the leading countries to support humanitarian initiatives and join international efforts to safeguard the health and safety of all people from different walks of life,” Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, chairman of the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, said.
Transport and storage sectors also received UAE foreign aid worth over AED414 million, while programmes aimed at supporting peace and security received over AED273 million.
Other sectors that have benefited from Emirati aid are agriculture, energy and civil society.