Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan
The UAE model of philanthropy is not based on exchange of goods or services. It is totally deviated from the “warm glow” theory and “perfect altruism”. It is based on pure humanity and different humanitarian assistance programs. Charities can nurture local economic growth as well as social capital. According to many latest research studies/reports charities are not just part of the solution to existing Europe’s social problems; they also have a role to play in solving our economic problems too. Moreover, its extended spirits for the wellbeing of underprivileged communities and struggling people with harsh geography, conflicts, and natural calamities are paying dividends. Its diversified but integrated social development projects in the country and especially the ongoing UAE-PAP projects are changing the lives of so many people in the far-flung areas.
UAE Generous foreign Assistance Drive’s Multiplier Effects
UAE has its own unique model of foreign assistance which is based purely on humanity, sacrifice, generosity and above all cooperation. It has been distributing generous foreign assistance beyond the parameters of religion, ritual, race and color. According to UAE official data, Pakistan received Dh354.1 million during 2012-2013.
UAE Global Humanitarian Assistance Programs
The government of the UAE under the visionary leadership of his President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been rigorously engaged in many diversified programs of humanitarian assistance in the different parts of the world and “the UAE’s project to assist Pakistan” (UAE-PAP) is one of the prime examples. It has been gigantic effort “turning tears into smiles”. UAE is now the second largest non-DAC donor of humanitarian aid since 2004.
UAE Aid
Pakistan remained one of the biggest recipients of UAE aid in the wake of different earthquakes, IDP’s of Swat and recent flood devastations. UAE also extended its financial assistance for Pakistan’s development projects and meeting budgetary deficits. The UAE is also a major investor in Pakistan’s key sectors like oil and gas, telecommunications, real estate, aviation, banking and energy.
UAE Aid to IDPs
Once again, the UAE stood with the government and its people in the time of national crises and President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan directed to provide urgent humanitarian aid and food supplies valued at US$ 2.5 million to 50 thousand families in displaced persons camps in the Bannu district of Pakistan. The administration of the UAE Pakistan Assistance Program (UAE-PAP) implemented directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in letter and spirit.
According to UAE administrative officials said that the aid comes within the framework of the generous initiatives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, his continuous efforts to help the poor and needy all over the world and to provide them with a respectable and decent life.
The UAE-PAP said that 3,550 tonnes of food rations has already been distributed in the form of food baskets each containing various food products such as flour, rice, dates, sugar, salt, lentils, oil and tea, sufficient for one family has been delivered to help protect against hunger and malnutrition in the coming period.
UAE Humanitarian Diplomacy and Pakistan
Charity is a noble cause and the UAE has been one of the main countries of this kind of economic development around the globe. It has multiplier socio-economic effects. It is people-friendly and anti-poverty measure which has been one of the main pillars of the UAE foreign policy’s global humanitarian assistance drive. President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a pioneer in humanitarian work around the globe. Since its inception Pakistan has been remained main focus of its global humanitarian drive.
Dubai Cares holistic quality learning programme
During 2014, Dubai Cares announced 3-year Dh17 million holistic quality learning programme in Pakistan. Dubai Cares, the UAE-based philanthropic organisation working towards tackling poverty through education in developing countries, yesterday announced a new Dh 17 million (USD 4,614,533) holistic quality learning programme in Pakistan at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD) 2014. Dubai Cares would implement the programme in partnership with Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), a long-standing collaborator in Pakistan.
The new programme, which aligns with and supports the UN Secretary-General’s 5 year Global Education First Initiative, would promote education transitions from pre-primary to primary school for children, especially girls and vulnerable groups, and provide accelerated learning for thousands of out-of-school children. The 3-year programme will directly benefit 385,800 school children across the Sindh and Punjab regions as well as two regions in Baluchistan.
Concluding Remarks
The UAE is one of the leading countries for humanitarian assistance programs in the world. It has already been successful turning tears into smiles and crises into development opportunities. Human development and capacity building has been cornerstone of its foreign policies. It has been promoting global brotherhood, harmony and peace in the world.