The UAE is a country that takes its philanthropic commitments seriously. From its foundation in 1971 until the middle of this year, it has provided more than Dh360 billion ($98 billion) in foreign aid, helping to save and transform lives in many countries around the world.
The diversity of campaigns launched and maintained by the Emirates reflect the outlook of its Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The first president of the UAE made clear that helping people in need, regardless of race or religion, was to be a cornerstone policy. “We believe that we should support our friends and brothers with the wealth that Allah Almighty gave us,” he once stated, articulating one of the country’s core principles.
From the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development in 1971 to the millions being spent on relief in Gaza and Lebanon today, work to fulfil Sheikh Zayed’s vision has placed the UAE at the forefront of international humanitarianism. But the country has not been content to simply disburse aid, instead carving out a role as an important international hub for humanitarian logistics, organisation, fundraising and dialogue.
At the UN climate summit in Dubai last year, Cop28, the UAE’s Business and Philanthropy Forum forged new global partnerships to explore how the private sector can help bridge a $3 trillion gap in financing needed to hit net-zero emissions targets. In April, Abu Dhabi hosted the three-day Asian Venture Philanthropy Network Global Conference, an event that brought together more than 1,500 investors, philanthropists, researchers and policymakers.
As global challenges evolve, so must the philanthropic response to them. This makes a new federal decree from President Sheikh Mohamed establishing a body to consolidate the UAE’s humanitarian work timely and important.
According to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Erth Zayed Philanthropies “represents a strategic effort to bring together our humanitarian initiatives and philanthropic entities under one cohesive vision, enhancing their reach and effectiveness to deliver positive impact on a truly global scale”.
The UAE has not been content to simply disburse aid, instead carving out a role as an important international humanitarian hub
Indeed, thinking strategically about how to make a positive difference internationally has never been more important. Philanthropy in the 21st century is already being transformed by the rise of new technology such as online fundraising and an accompanying focus on transparency and accountability. The Covid-19 pandemic – a global health crisis – drove much innovation in the humanitarian sector but also affected the relationship between many funders and the non-profits they support. It is a complex and changing picture that demands initiative and joined-up thinking.
Writing in The National in April, Emirati entrepreneur and philanthropist Badr Jafar described how “as the world navigates a geo-economic and geo-social inflection point”, the UAE is “poised to lead the charge in shaping the future of philanthropy within and from the global growth markets across Asia and Africa”. With the launch of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, it is clear that the Emirates is ready to not only keep playing its leading role in international humanitarian work but to shape the conversation about how best to help vulnerable people and communities in a time of global crisis.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
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- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
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Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
MO
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Brief scores:
Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37
South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62
Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
