UAE aircraft bring out more evacuees and take in more supplies
An aircraft carrying 178 people from seven countries to safety from Sudan has landed in the UAE, as the Emirates also delivered more aid to the wartorn nation.
Among those on the evacuation flight was a Sudanese boy wounded by a stray bullet in the clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
The child was admitted to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City hospital in Abu Dhabi on arrival in the UAE on Sunday.
This latest humanitarian mission came just a day after 176 evacuees arrived in the Emirates from Sudan.
The UAE continues to prioritise the evacuation of the most vulnerable groups.
These include the sick, children, the elderly and women, the government said.
Evacuees will be hosted in the UAE and provided with all necessary support before their safe transfer to their home countries, said officials.
The UAE has played host to hundreds of people from more than 20 countries in flights from Sudan since April 29.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation confirmed the success of the ongoing evacuation.
Yesterday, the UAE sent three aid flights carrying more than 115 tonnes of medical and food supplies to Sudan.
Two of the aircraft landed at Port Sudan Airport, at the Red Sea coast in western Sudan.
They were loaded with medical supplies for treating injuries and conducting emergency surgery. Their cargo included antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, dressings, surgical tape and endoscopy kits.
A third aircraft arrived in Sudan’s western neighbour Chad.
It was packed with 15 tonnes of food to support Sudanese refugees affected by the unfolding crisis that has displaced thousands of families and led to a shortage of basic supplies.
Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation for International Development Affairs, said the aid campaign was on the directives of the UAE’s leadership.
He said fighting had disrupted services and added to challenges faced by Sudan’s population.
The UAE has delivered more than 240 tonnes of medical and food supplies to Sudan since fighting began in mid-April.
It has enabled the evacuation of 744 foreign citizens and diplomats, their families, plus flown out dozens of other people in urgent need of assistance.
Senior UN aid envoy Martin Griffiths arrived in the Saudi port city of Jeddah on Sunday to discuss the worsening crisis.
Experts fear it could leave 2.5 million people without enough food and cause the migration of a million people.
Saudi Arabia has been working with the US and other allies to try to broker a ceasefire.