On World Humanitarian Day, support of education and establishment of universities are UAE humanitarian initiatives

The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the 19^th of August each year as the World Humanitarian Day, which corresponds to the anniversary of the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad on August 19^th, 2003. On this day, the efforts of humanitarian workers and their, civil, governmental, and international organizations, who contribute to facing the health and environmental disasters in times of crises, and the challenges of aging and disability for the individual and the family, are all highlighted in recognition of their position in the building of man and society. This year’s celebration is under the theme: "The World Needs More  ...”.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon commended, during his visit to the country on May 5^th, 2014, the humanitarian aids and situations of the UAE, represented by the President, government, institutions and individuals, and its initiatives in helping the various peoples and countries stricken by natural disasters, wars, or drought, and the like, thanks to the late Sheikh Zayed, for the values ​​and concepts of humanity he instilled in the hearts of his children and successive generations, whose help extended to reach all corners of the globe, for the support of all those harmed and the establishment of mosques, hospitals, health clinics, science schools and universities, infrastructure projects, housing projects, and digging wells to provide clean water, and other good projects, and for contributing to the financing of development projects in the developing countries to improve the quality of life of the citizens in these countries, and to achieve their stability and progress.

The value of development and humanitarian aid provided by the UAE during the period from 1971 to 2004 reached about 90.5 billion Dirhams, and more than 117 countries worldwide benefited from it.

The UAE also ranked first globally in the humanitarian work in 2013, which is a historical achievement that embodies the vision of humanity for the wise leadership, reflects the values ​​of solidarity and compassion that characterize the State and its citizens, and sends a strong message to the world that human values ​​should prevail in the relations of countries, and the support of our brothers and friends in times of crisis and adversity are the way to peace and global stability.

It is noteworthy that in the UAE, and on the occasion of the anniversary of the death of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Council of Ministers issued Resolution No. (7/1/14/295) for the year 2012 on naming the anniversary of the departure of the late Sheikh Zayed as the Humanitarian Work Day for the U.A.E, which is marked on 19^th of Ramadan each year. Through this initiative, humanitarian initiatives in the various institutions of the State are launched, and individuals and public and private institutions are allowed to commemorate Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in recognition of his role in the arena of philanthropy in the State.

The celebrations this year, which were held on the 10^th anniversary of the death of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, under the theme "Love and Loyalty for the Generous Zayed" witnessed the launch of more vital and quality humanitarian and charitable initiatives through thousands of governmental and community events organized by public and private institutions, as about 1,500 events were organized last year for immortalizing the good feats of the leader of humanitarian work and the founder of the State, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, most notably, Clothe a Million Children initiative, in addition to other initiatives designed to support education, health, children, and family, and other social areas.

The commemoration of” Zayed Humanitarian Work Day" this year coincided with the announcement of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, on June 28^th, 2014, for the launch of      "Suqia" initiative to provide drinking water for five million people in countries suffering from water shortage.