JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) – With the first anniversary of the devastating Joplin tornado approaching, the ambassador of United Arab Emirates was expected in the southwest Missouri town Friday to announce a large gift to Mercy Hospital.

The hospital was among 8,000 buildings destroyed in the May 22, 2011, tornado that killed 161 people. United Arab Emirates Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba (Oh-TAY’-buh) will be joined by Republican Sen. Roy Blunt, Joplin Mayor Melodee Colbert-Kean and others in announcing the gift. Details will be disclosed at a 10:30 a.m. news conference.

The oil-rich Persian Gulf nation has stepped in to help Joplin before. Last year, United Arab Emirates made a challenge grant donation that could be worth up to $1 million to provide new laptop computers for each high school student.