The evolution of the Gulf states as humanitarian donors

Figures & data

Figure 1. Total humanitarian assistance from four Gulf states, 2012–2021 (USD million). Source: OCHA FTS (n.d.).

A four-section bar graph showing the annual humanitarian assistance of the four analysed states (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar). Saudi Arabia’s graph demonstrates a consistent growth in aid amounts throughout the mentioned years, with most of the indicators being above $500 million. Most of the UAE’s assistance does not exceed $800 million annually, with only one outlier in 2018, amounting to $2168 million, being the highest indicator in the figure. Kuwait’s and Qatar’s indicators do not reach $500 million in any of the mentioned years.

Figure 2. Share of combined Gulf humanitarian assistance by country, 2012–2021. Source: OCHA FTS (n.d.).

A pie chart representing the shares of the total aid from 2012 to 2021 provided by four states: Saudi Arabia (48%), the UAE (33%), Kuwait (14%), and Qatar (5%).

Figure 3. Total Gulf countries’ humanitarian aid per capita, 2015–2020 (USD million). Sources: OCHA FTS (n.d.); UN DESA (2020); GCC-Stat (n.d.); Saudi General Authority for Statistics (n.d.); Qatar Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) (n.d.).¹

A four-section bar graph demonstrating humanitarian aid per capita for the analysed states in descending order: the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.

Figure 4. Saudi Arabia’s top five humanitarian aid recipients, 2012–2021 (USD million). Source: OCHA FTS (n.d.).

A 10-section bar graph, demonstrating the top five recipients (in descending order) of Saudi Arabia humanitarian aid from 2012 to 2021. Starting from 2015, Yemen yearly appears as Recipient 1. The aid to Yemen is significantly higher than the aid to any other recipient.

Figure 5. UAE’s top five humanitarian aid recipients, 2012–2021 (USD million). Source: OCHA FTS (n.d.).

A 10-section bar graph, demonstrating the top five recipients (in descending order) of UAE humanitarian aid from 2012 to 2021. Starting from 2015, Yemen remains Recipient 1. The aid to Yemen is significantly higher than the aid to any other recipient.

Figure 6. Kuwait’s top five humanitarian aid recipients, 2012–2021 (USD million). Source: OCHA FTS (n.d.).

A 10-section bar graph, demonstrating the top five recipients (in descending order) of Kuwaiti humanitarian aid from 2012 to 2021. Recipient 1 is different in almost each year. All the recipients receive relatively equal support (especially in 2017).

Figure 7. Qatar’s top five humanitarian aid recipients, 2012–2021 (USD million). Source: OCHA FTS (n.d.).

A 10-section bar graph, demonstrating the top five recipients (in descending order) of Qatari humanitarian aid from 2012 to 2021. Recipient 1 is different in almost every year. All the recipients received relatively equal assistance, with the highest amount of aid distributed in 2014 and 2015.

Figure 8. Total Gulf countries’ humanitarian aid to their top five recipients, 2012–2021 (USD million). Source: OCHA FTS (n.d.).

A four-section horizontal bar graph, including subfigures (a), (b), (c), and (d) representing the total humanitarian aid by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, respectively, to their top five recipients. Yemen is the top recipient of aid from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait. Qatar’s major recipient is Syria.

OCHA FTS. n.d. “Official Website.” United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Financial Tracking Service. Accessed January 2023. https://fts.unocha.org/.

 Google Scholar

UN DESA. 2020. World Social Report 2020. New York: United Nations.

 Google Scholar

GCC-Stat. n.d. “Official Website.” GCC Statistical Center. Accessed January 2023. https://gccstat.org/en/.

 Google Scholar

Saudi General Authority for Statistics. n.d. “Official Website.” Saudi General Authority for Statistics. Accessed January 2023. https://www.stats.gov.sa/en.

 Google Scholar

Planning and Statistics Authority. n.d.  “Qatar Monthly Statistics.”  Qatar Planning and Statistics Autho­rity. Accessed January 2023. https://www.psa.gov.qa/en/Pages/default.aspx.

 Google Scholar