By funding different United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has underlined its will to solve the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan. This distribution meets seventy percent of the $100 million commitment made by the UAE at the Paris International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries in April.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abu Dhabi, UAE, underlined in a statement published on June 17, 2024, in Abu Dhabi, that the money would be allocated to important partners including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UN World Food Program (WFP), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Health Organisation (WHO). These money will help initiatives to improve the terrible humanitarian condition Sudan faces from continuous conflict and instability.
All-Inclusive Humanitarian Agenda
With millions of people at danger of famine in Sudan, the UAE’s distribution seeks to stop more degradation of the humanitarian conditions there. Food and health services as well as livelihood support, emergency shelter, and women’s protection will all be offered using the help in a whole spectrum. This multifarious method is meant to solve long-term stability in the area as well as urgent requirements.
“The aid provided to Sudan and neighbouring countries by the UAE reflects the unwavering commitment of the country’s leadership to provide humanitarian and relief support to the brotherly Sudanese people, to address humanitarian challenges and continuously extend assistance and support to Sudan,” said Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation.
Establishing Field Hospitals and an Air Bridge
The UAE has set up an air bridge with Sudan and surrounding Chad to help with delivery of relief. Nine thousand five hundred tons of food and medical supplies have been delivered using this logistics network via 148 relief aircraft. The UAE has also sent a ship loaded with around 1,000 tonnes of desperately needed relief goods.
The UAE has also been rather helpful in funding refugee camps in South Sudan and Chad. Especially, the UAE established two field hospitals in Amdjarass and Abéché, two Chadian cities. Since their founding, these hospitals have attended to about 30,000 patients, giving other citizens in need including Sudanese refugees vital medical treatment.
Global Acknowledgement and Respect
International agencies have much praised the UAE for its contributions. Deep thanks for the UAE’s kind contribution were given by Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. “We sincerely thank you to the Government and the people of the United Arab Emirates for your kind support of US$70 million to help bring relief to the people of Sudan through the United Nations,” Griffiths said. “With this distribution, we can increase our lifesaver assistance to families and communities caught caught in Sudan’s unparalleled humanitarian crisis.”
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, also praised the UAE, stressing the pressing need of aid for Sudan. “The people of Sudan need immediate help as they are suffering terrible effects of this bloody conflict. Grandi said that state donations are crucial in giving underprivileged people in Sudan forced to escape much-needed lifesaving humanitarian aid.
Emphasizing the effect of the UAE’s donation on WFP’s activities, Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the program, said, “WFP welcomes any pledges directed toward our Sudanese life-saving food programs. By means of this donation, we will be able to help underprivileged people who run the danger of falling into famine.” McCain remarked.
Keep Reading
Dedication to Stability and Peace
Apart from offering relief for humanitarian needs, the UAE has demanded an instant ceasefire and a peaceful settlement of the Sudanian war. The Emirati Minister underlined once more the need for group efforts to stop the bloodshed and bring about national stability. Al Hashimy said, “The UAE’s consistent position is to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the need to reach a peaceful solution for the crisis by returning to the political process.” “We call for joint efforts and cooperation to end the conflict, enhance the security and stability of Sudan, prevent further loss of life, and establish a national consensus whereby citizens lead and participate.”
Notwithstanding its major contributions, the UAE has come under fire for allegedly aiding the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces, which engaged in mass killings during the Sudanese conflict. Emphasizing its focus on humanitarian help and peaceful resolution, the UAE has refuted these allegations.
An all-encompassing effort for humanitarian relief
The $70 million donated by the UAE is a part of a larger initiative to help Sudanese people constantly. This covers not only the present budget but also a total of $130 million in humanitarian relief given thus far. The UAE’s initiatives have been vital in attending to Sudanese people’s urgent needs as well as in striving for long-term crisis resolution.
The UAE’s dedication and assistance act as a lighthouse of hope and evidence of the strength of global collaboration in times of disaster, as the humanitarian situation in Sudan still remains dire.
