- Aid and Humanitarian Assistance is considered an effective way to support countries that suffer different forms of economic, social and political challenges, such as what happened in Sri Lanka after the tsunami, and they also facilitate continuous contact between the peoples and communities. Several charitable and humanitarian institutions in the UAE have provided a lot of aid to Sri Lanka. This assistance has both, an economic dimension and also a humanitarian perspective, and paves the way to strengthen and enhance the bonds of friendship and sincere cooperation, earning for the United Arab Emirates the respect and appreciation of all countries.
- During floods and landslides that effect, from time to time, different parts of Sri Lanka, the government of United Arab Emirates extends its assistance by providing emergency relief to the people and even sends emergency teams to engage in flood relief activities under the supervision of the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Colombo. Dry ration packs and other essential items valued at millions of rupees are distributed to the distraught families. Charity organizations in UAE also conduct medical camps and mobile clinics in affected areas.
- The support and assistance provided by UAE through its institutions, notably the Emirates Red Crescent, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, Muhammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity Foundation, Dubai Charity, Sharjah Charity International, Sharjah Charity House and Dar Al Ber Society has had a significant impact on the stability in Sri Lanka and consolidated the friendship between the two countries.
UAE Aid to Sri Lanka
Since the aftermath of the Tsunami disaster, the United Arab Emirates has contributed immensely towards the welfare and development of the people of Sri Lanka.
- Construction of more than a dozen housing schemes comprising of 3,200 houses.
- Repairing and renovating 1,150 homes.
- Constructing and equipping 07 classroom buildings for schools.
- 03 Children’s homes
- 05 Student’s hostels and vocational training centers
- 04 Clinics and health centers
- 05 Shopping complexes
- 10 Mosques and community centers
- 06 Ambulances and mobile clinics
- 02 Cancer treatment machines for Cancer hospitals in Colombo and Kandy, worth over 1.2 million US dollars.
- Medical equipment and supplies to hospitals in Colombo and other districts.
- Hundreds of wells and water supply projects.
Total assistance provided by UAE to Sri Lanka, in the form of fixed assets, over the period 2000-2018, exceeds 35 million US dollars.
In addition to that, UAE is the leading provider of welfare and seasonal projects to Sri Lanka, such as Ramadan and Haj seasonal projects, orphan care, disaster relief, income generation, school stationary and educational projects etc.
