(GCC Statistical Center): $1.6 billion in humanitarian aid from GCC countries in 2025
Muscat, Aug 30 (KUNA) -- The Statistical Center of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said on Sunday that the volume of humanitarian aid provided by GCC member states in 2025 reached $6.1 billion, representing approximately 21.7 percent of total global humanitarian assistance.
In a report issued on Gulf humanitarian aid on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day, observed annually on August 19, the Center stated that this indicator reflects the growing role of the Gulf region in the international humanitarian and relief system. It further noted that this effort aligns with the importance GCC states attach to protecting humanitarian workers and beneficiaries in accessing food, healthcare, and protection, while enhancing humanitarian solidarity in the face of crises.
The Center highlighted that GCC humanitarian aid is characterized by "diversity and comprehensiveness," noting that it extends beyond immediate emergency response to include several vital sectors aimed at supporting the recovery of affected communities, strengthening stability, and achieving sustainable development.
Regarding sectoral allocations, the Center reported that basic services accounted for 77.8 percent of total Gulf aid in 2025. This encompassed a wide range of areas, primarily health, early recovery, water services, governance, rule of law, environment, and the reintegration of displaced persons, alongside other essential sectors such as education and food security.
In this regard, the Center specified that the health sector led with 33.4 percent, followed by early recovery at 23.2 percent. Food security accounted for 15.3 percent, education for 7 percent, and other sectors contributed 22.1 percent.
The Center emphasized that these figures "underscore the broad scope of Gulf contributions to humanitarian action, combining immediate relief with support for recovery pathways, capacity building, and essential services, thereby enhancing the ability of affected communities to overcome crises and restore long-term stability."
It affirmed that GCC states are among the "most prominent international actors" in humanitarian and relief work, with their development policies and rapid crisis response reinforcing their status as among the world’s largest donors of official and voluntary humanitarian aid.
The Center stated that these efforts fall under the slogan "Sustainable Giving: Gulf Humanitarian Aid Meeting Humanitarian Needs," reflecting a shift toward building a humanitarian response that not only addresses the impacts of crises but also supports recovery, stability, and sustainable development.
The Statistical Center of the GCC, headquartered in the Sultanate of Oman, was established in 2011 as the official body responsible for data, information, and statistics related to GCC member states. It also plays a role in enhancing statistical and informational work among national statistical centers and planning authorities within the region. (End) M.J.B. / S.M.A.
