UAE Allocates 70% Of Pledged $100M To UN, Its Humanitarian Agencies In Sudan

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday allocated 70% of the $100 million as per the pledge it made in April at the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighboring Countries to United Nations (UN) agencies and humanitarian organizations.

The funding by the UAE aims to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the funds will be allocated to key partners and UN agencies, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

UN World Food Program (WFP), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Health Organization (WHO) will also receive the funding.

Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said that the UAE will be providing aid to El Fasher and other areas in Sudan in partnership with World Food Program.

"The aid provided to Sudan and neighboring 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," he added, according to WAM.

The minister also mentioned that the UAE established an air bridge with Sudan and Chad at the start of the crisis to provide aid and reduce the impact of the humanitarian situation.

The UAE also provided $130 million in aid and sent 9,500 tonnes of food and medical supplies via 148 relief planes. It also sent a ship with about 1,000 tonnes of urgent relief supplies.

Furthermore, the country has supported refugee camps for displaced Sudanese in Abéché and other areas in Chad. It sent a plane with 100 tonnes of food to Sudanese refugees in South Sudan through the World Food Program.

"Within the framework of providing medical services to the Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries, the UAE built two field hospitals in the Chadian cities of Amdjarass and Abéché to support the brotherly Sudanese people," the minister added.

"The hospitals' care is extended to all civilians in need, regardless of nationality, age, gender, or political association. The number of patients treated at the hospital in Amdjarass since its establishment has reached 29,378," he added.

Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said that the agency is deeply grateful to the government and the people of the UAE for the generous support of US$70 million through the UN.

He noted that this allocation will help to support families and communities who got caught up in Sudan's unprecedented humanitarian crisis.