Zayed Humanitarian Work Day has been commemorated with appreciations of the generosity shown by the UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed and pledges to honour the spirit of his work.
The day falls each year on Ramadan 19, which is also the date that Sheikh Zayed died in 2004.
This year’s celebrations will witness the launch of humanitarian and charity initiatives, as well as government and community events.
Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, the President's Representative, said Sheikh Zayed was among a handful of leaders who were dedicated to making people happier.
"When we remember Sheikh Zayed, we remember that he helped people, prepared an educated, ambitious and open community, and promoted giving," he said.
Sarah Al Amiri, the Minister of State for Advanced Sciences said: “Sheikh Zayed ushered in a new era of philanthropy, where the UAE dedicated its resources not simply to offer immediate financial relief, but went beyond that to invest in and empower human beings everywhere.”
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Mariam Almheiri, Minister of State for Future Food Security, said Zayed Humanitarian Work Day: “Embodies our country’s tremendous progress and success, as well as its achievements in the humanitarian sector.
“We commit ourselves to continuing on our Founding Father’s path, and the noble values he embedded in our community,” she said.
Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed, chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs said that the late Sheikh Zayed inspired the UAE people with the values of strong will and determination and empowered them to be among the best nations worldwide.
Sheikh Zayed was a global symbol of humanitarianism, Sheikh Khalid said, adding that the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs would continue those objectives.
The amount of local and international humanitarian aid provided by the UAE on the directives of Sheikh Zayed prior to 2000 was over Dh98 billion in the form of grants, loans and assistance.
In Jerusalem, the Sheikh Zayed Suburb Project received nearly Dh15 million, the Jenin refugee camp was reconstructed at a cost of Dh100m and the construction of Sheikh Zayed City in Gaza cost Dh220m.
Aid and infrastructure was also gifted to Yemen, Egypt. Morocco, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan.
Emirati charity projects during the era of Sheikh Zayed were not limited to Arab and Islamic countries, and they also covered the developed world. In 1992, the UAE donated $5 million to the United States, US, Disaster Relief Fund, to help the victims of Hurricane Andrew that hit the state of Florida.
Sheikh Zayed also keenly supported international and Islamic organisations, and donated to organisations such as UNICEF.
