Consequently, the UAE announced a set of new humanitarian projects in Chad and pledged $10.25 million to the United Nations to respond to the needs of Sudanese women affected by the ongoing Sudan crisis, further demonstrating the commitment of the UAE to addressing the urgent health and psychosocial needs of women and children in the region, among other forms of humanitarian aid.
The announcement was made during a September 13 visit to Chad by Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of the Foreign Minister. The UAE delegation met with Sudanese women refugees, civil society leaders, and UN agencies involved in humanitarian support, in addition to engaging Chadian officials and being briefed on the challenges and recent enhancements in the distribution of humanitarian aid to Sudan.
The UAE’s $10.25 million will go to the UN agencies that have extensive capability in such aid for women:
- $3 million will be given to the WHO for maternal and child health.
- $2 million will be disbursed to the UNFPA for women’s health and gender-based violence programming.
- $250,000 will be disbursed to the UN World Food Program for gender-responsive programming.
- $3 million to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for social cohesion programming between Sudanese refugee women and the host community.
- $2 million to the UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund to support women-led civil society groups.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, maintained that the UAE was committed to sustaining its care for people victimized by conflict, in particular women and children, among whom are the most vulnerable. She said the UAE adopts a holistic approach toward humanitarian aid, focusing on immediate relief while preparing communities for the challenges of the future.
Chad, being the largest receiver of Sudanese refugees, has registered 630,752 refugees since April this year. Of these, 89 percent were women and children. Contributions of whatever kind by the UAE are, thus, quite significant to address the most urgent needs of these helpless people. Since the crisis erupted, the UAE has been one of the world leaders in providing emergency assistance to Sudan. The UAE pledged $230 million in support, including 10,000 tonnes of food and medical supplies transported on 159 relief flights.
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Key UN leaders such as Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO; Ms. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women; Ms. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA; and Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, took notice and appreciated this major contribution from the UAE and its focus on the dire needs of Sudanese women refugees.
This illustrates further commitment by the UAE to stability in the region, including the empowerment of women, as part of its broader commitment to the active participation of women in ensuring sustained peace in Sudan.
