Through his leadership in charitable and humanitarian projects worldwide, His Highness has continued to foster a culture of compassion and generosity.
The humanitarian initiatives of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed have contributed to strengthening the UAE’s position as a leading global donor in providing developmental and charitable assistance. His noble initiatives have followed the path laid by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, exemplifying the principles of human fraternity, tolerance, coexistence, and peace that the UAE promotes around the world.
The recent granting of the ‘Global Humanitarian Personality’ award to Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) underscores global recognition and appreciation for His Highness’ role and continued contributions to humanitarian relief efforts worldwide. The award has further solidified his status as one of the most notable models in the history of humanitarian work.
As a result of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed’s guidance and support, the UAE’s response to humanitarian crises has become an enduring feature around the world in recent years. This affirms that the country’s generosity knows no bounds, irrespective of geographical location, ethnicity, or religion.
The journey of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been enriched with generosity, support, and initiatives aimed at advancing the healthcare sector worldwide, thereby enhancing international efforts to combat epidemics and diseases that pose a significant threat to human life.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, which was one of the most prominent contemporary health challenges to have swept the world, His Highness swiftly extended a helping hand both near and far by inaugurating hospitals, providing vaccines, establishing humanitarian cities, and sending aid to the world without discrimination or distinction.
The humanitarian aid provided by the UAE during the pandemic included more than 2,000 tonnes of medical supplies directed through approximately 200 flights to 135 countries around the world.
The UAE set up field hospitals and mobile clinics during the pandemic in countries such as Sudan, Guinea, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkmenistan, and others. Additionally, aid was sent to 117 countries from the warehouses of international organisations located in the Dubai International Humanitarian City. Furthermore, a donation of US$ 10 million in-kind assistance was made by the UAE to the World Health Organization (WHO).
At the same time, the UAE has continued its multifaceted efforts and initiatives to achieve a world free from neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that affect the lives of over 1.6 billion people. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan launched the Reaching the Last Mile Fund (RLMF) in 2017, a multi-donor fund with allocations of approximately US$ 500 million to support efforts to eradicate two NTDs in Africa.
Since its inception, the Fund has provided over 100 million treatments and contributed to the training of 1.3 million healthcare workers in close partnership with the countries where NTDs are endemic.
During the Reaching the Last Mile Forum held on the sidelines of COP28 last December, the UAE joined leaders from African countries and global partners in pledging over $777 million to combat NTDs.
Furthermore, as part of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed’s initiative to eradicate polio worldwide, the UAE provided Pakistan with approximately 667.5 million doses of the polio vaccine from 2014 until the end of 2022, benefitting 17 million children.
The establishment of the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE) in 2019 by Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, served as a crucial addition to the global health sector and its efforts to accelerate the eradication of preventable infectious diseases, particularly malaria, polio, NTDs, lymphatic filariasis, and river blindness.
In February 2023, President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan initiated Operation Chivalrous Knight 2 to support the people of Syria and Türkiye following the devastating earthquake that affected both countries.
The operation, which lasted until 13th July of the same year, was one of the most successful unified operations carried out by UAE entities. Its priorities were determined in coordination with authorities in the affected countries, embodying the UAE’s prominent humanitarian approach in line with the directives of its leadership to support communities around the world.
The operation resulted in the rescue of dozens from under the rubble and the treatment of 13,463 cases. Additionally, humanitarian assistance amounting to 15,164 tonnes was provided through an air bridge, which organised 260 flights carrying 6,912 tonnes of emergency aid, including tents, essential food, and medicines. Furthermore, 8,252 tonnes of humanitarian aid were transported using 4 cargo ships to deliver relief and reconstruction materials to the affected areas.
On 5th November of the same year, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed ordered the commencement of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 to support the Palestinian people in Gaza due to the critical circumstances they have faced.
As part of the operation, total relief aid provided by the UAE to the Palestinian people until 8th May of the following year amounted to approximately 22,627 tonnes, transported via 224 cargo planes and 803 trucks, in addition to 3 cargo ships carrying aid.
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