Today is World Humanitarian Day, a moment to reflect on the troubling reality that although the work of saving lives has become more sophisticated, many of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations are as old as humanity itself.
The brutal and protracted war on Gaza, which has claimed more than 40,000 lives at least so far, resembles a conflict from the last century. With such scorched-earth warfare, the accompanying dangers for civilians are similar to those faced by besieged communities throughout history – death, injury, poverty, malnutrition and disease. Such devastation can set entire societies back; the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah has just confirmed Gaza’s first polio case in 25 years.
It is not just armed conflicts that present humanitarian challenges – natural disasters continue to plague humanity. Last week, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Syria, frightening communities already scarred by last year’s deadly tremors that claimed thousands of lives. In many parts of the world, similar calamities are now being compounded by the effects of climate change, as extreme weather worsens an increasing number of floods, droughts and storms.
The interlinked and complex nature of these problems begs the question: what will humanitarian work look like in the future, and what is being done now to make it more effective? Some answers to these questions can be found in the UAE’s commitment to foreign aid and development, something the OECD says the country has undertaken since its formation in 1971.
It is a commitment delivered by humanitarians and aid workers often operating in dangerous and difficult conditions. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, the UAE’s Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs and Chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, paid tribute to such workers, commending their “inspiring efforts … in spreading hope among societies suffering from crises”, state news agency Wam reported.
The Emirates has committed significant amounts of resources to help other countries with acute emergencies and more long-term aid – according to the latest official figures, in 2022 total UAE funding for international aid was $3.45 billion, a 12 per cent increase on the previous year. Recently, its diplomatic influence was brought to bear by helping to reach a global consensus on setting up a loss and damage fund at the Cop28 climate summit in Dubai.
The UAE’s convening power and strong international positioning is central to its success in tackling global issues of consequence for people around the world. By using its expertise in other areas, the country is able to come up with innovative answers to pressing problems.
The UAE’s embrace of AI and other advanced digital technologies is informing its approach to aid
Furthermore, the UAE’s embrace of AI and other advanced digital technologies is informing its approach to aid. One example was in September last year when, during a UN Security Council open debate, the Emirates announced plans to establish a digital response platform that will use AI, machine learning and geospatial tools to better co-ordinate and deliver aid. Indeed, the country’s humanitarian contributions during the Covid-19 pandemic, its long-running polio vaccination campaign in Pakistan and the provision of vital medical aid to Gazan civilians all work better with advanced technology.
The world’s humanitarian efforts must continue to be collective, with innovative and dynamic countries such as the UAE of vital importance. The challenges keep coming. Traditional donor fatigue, a lack of diplomatic will to tackle crises effectively, as well as political obstruction – as seen in the efforts to undermine the UN agency for Palestinian refugees – make the task of helping people an even more difficult one. In addition, the UN has said that last year was the deadliest on record for aid workers, with 2024 shaping up to be even worse.
The key to helping the estimated 186.5 million people in need across the world has to be working smarter. Instead of overly focusing on emergency aid, strategies for women’s empowerment, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and eradicating disease will help to promote stability in the long term. The UAE has been leading from the front, but as global challenges become more numerous and complicated, innovation and forward thinking must intensify and continue.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Launched: 2014
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How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
