The UAE has announced a significant commitment of $550 million in support of the UN Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO). This was stated in the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The goal is to raise $33 billion in 2026 to support an estimated 135 million people in 23 humanitarian operations around the world, including programs supporting refugees and migrants.
The goal is to help protect the lives of up to 87 million people in need of urgent support, with funding of $23 billion.
The initiative reaffirms the UAE's unwavering commitment to advancing international efforts to save lives and respond to disasters and crises affecting the most vulnerable populations worldwide.
This support underscores the UAE's vital role in promoting multilateral humanitarian action and the country's close cooperation with UN agencies, including the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as well as with relief and development programs operating on the ground to ensure timely access to aid. for those most in need, in line with His Highness' directives emphasizing rapid and effective response.
Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said: “The UAE continues its unwavering commitment to supporting global humanitarian efforts and working with our UN partners to ensure access to aid for those most affected. This commitment embodies the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and reflects our deep belief in the need for international solidarity in responding to urgent humanitarian appeals in an effective and sustainable manner that preserves human dignity and protects life.“
“Our global appeal is about saving lives where shocks are most severe – and about turning plans into real protection. The UAE’s rapid and generous support for our 2026 plan sends a strong signal focused on the people who need it most. We must ensure an effective, innovative response that is responsive to the moment,” said Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at OCHA.
“The warning signs of health system collapse are evident long before it happens – outbreaks are spreading, malnutrition is increasing and preventable deaths are on the rise. But when we come together, services can be restored and lives saved. "I thank His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE for their support, which will provide vital humanitarian health assistance to millions in need," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO.
“UNICEF appreciates the UAE's generous support, which will go a long way in saving and improving the lives of children affected by humanitarian crises. Children are always the most vulnerable when a crisis strikes. As needs exceed funding, this is a particularly critical time, building on UNICEF's strategic partnership with the UAE," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
“We appreciate the UAE's strong commitment to humanitarian efforts.“ He added: “While the severe funding gap poses a serious challenge for millions of vulnerable forcibly displaced people, contributions from governments like the UAE allow UNHCR to scale up its response efforts and provide a ray of hope for those in need,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“As humanitarian needs grow and resources fall dangerously short, the United Arab Emirates’ generous commitment is a lifeline that will help ensure that emergency aid reaches those most in need. We thank the UAE for its humanitarian leadership in these unprecedented times. The WFP stands ready to work with the UAE to ensure that this desperately needed support reaches the millions facing acute hunger around the world.“ This was stated by Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP).
This support builds on the strong strategic partnership between the UAE and the UN humanitarian system and reaffirms the UAE's central role in addressing the most pressing humanitarian challenges, strengthening the international community's ability to protect lives and supporting stability in crisis-affected areas, in line with His Highness' directives, which reinforce the UAE's leading approach to global humanitarian action.