UAE pledges $100 million in humanitarian aid to Sudan

The UAE pledged $100 million to support humanitarian efforts in Sudan and neighbouring countries.

The commitment was announced yesterday by Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, Minister of State, at a conference in Paris co-hosted by France, Germany and the EU.

Millions in Sudan are on the brink of famine owing to the civil war that began more than a year ago.

Sheikh Shakhbout emphasised the importance of a backing international efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis, state news agency Wam reported.

He reaffirmed the UAE’s position in calling for an immediate ceasefire and a return to the political process.

The UAE also called for joint efforts to bring an end to the conflict and to enhance the security and stability of Sudan, Wam reported. The UAE has provided $150 million in aid to countries affected by the war, which began on April 15 last year.

The Emirates has sent medical, food and relief supplies, Wam reported.

The UAE also established a $20 million field hospital to provide health care to Sudanese refugees who fled to Chad.

The hospital, in the eastern city of Abeche, was inaugurated by Sheikh Shakhbout and has departments for paediatrics, orthopaedics and internal medicine.

Donors at the Paris conference pledged more than €2 billion ($2.1 billion) to those afflicted by the conflict.

The war has led to the largest displacement crisis in the world, with more than nine million people forced to flee the violence.

The UN high commissioner for refugees said more than 553,000 Sudanese have fled to Chad.