Despite the UAE’s economic success there are, inevitably, individuals who are not in a position to benefit directly from the country’s good fortune. Therefore, a social welfare network has been put in place to assist these vulnerable members of society. This takes the form of social security benefits administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, in addition to the practical help offered by the network of Ministry-supported social centres run by the General Women’s Union, and the government-supported social welfare and rehabilitation centres providing assistance to the disabled.
The Government dispenses financial assistance each month to 20 categories of persons, including persons with disabilities, widows and divorcees. The programme benefits 40,121 families. A total of 4,882 children, 862 of whom are orphans, receive assistance, in addition to 3,697 children with disabilities and 323 children of unknown parentage. As of 2012, the amount disbursed to these families was increased to Dh7.14 billion.
Social welfare assistance is also provided to as many as 14,075 older people, representing 37 per cent of the toal number of older people in the country.