UAE Signs Agreement with UNICEF to Provide $7 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Sudan and South Sudan

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has announced the signing of a significant agreement with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to provide $7 million in critical humanitarian aid to Sudan and South Sudan. The agreement allocates $6 million for UNICEF’s operations in Sudan and $1 million for its activities in South Sudan, reinforcing the UAE’s unwavering commitment to addressing the severe humanitarian crises in these conflict-ridden countries.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has intensified into a catastrophic crisis, particularly affecting children, with an estimated 13.6 million children urgently needing assistance. The violence has forced over six million people, more than half of whom are children, to flee their homes, making Sudan the site of the world’s largest child displacement crisis.

This substantial contribution from the UAE will directly support UNICEF’s efforts to ensure that children and women in both Sudan and South Sudan have access to primary health care, clean water, and education. These efforts include formal and non-formal educational channels, with a focus on early learning programs.

Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, emphasized the UAE’s deep commitment to aiding vulnerable populations impacted by conflict. “The UAE is deeply committed to supporting the most vulnerable populations affected by conflict, particularly children who are bearing the brunt of the crisis in Sudan and South Sudan. Through this agreement with UNICEF, we are reinforcing our dedication to providing life-saving assistance and ensuring that children have access to the essential services they desperately need. The UAE will continue to stand by the brotherly Sudanese people in their time of need, working with international partners to address the urgent humanitarian challenges.”

Minister Al Hashimy also highlighted the UAE’s ongoing involvement in international efforts to resolve the crisis, noting the country’s participation as an observer in the Sudan talks in Geneva. She welcomed the movement of humanitarian actors and aid through the Adre Crossing, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the delivery of aid to those most in need, particularly the vulnerable.

Over the past decade, the UAE has provided more than $3.5 billion in aid to the Sudanese people, demonstrating its longstanding dedication to humanitarian assistance. Since the outbreak of the conflict in 2023, the UAE has delivered $230 million in humanitarian aid, dispatched 159 relief flights, and provided more than 10,000 tonnes of food, medical, and relief supplies. The UAE has also established two field hospitals in Chad, which have treated over 45,000 patients.

In addition to its humanitarian efforts, the UAE continues to advocate for an immediate ceasefire and an urgent halt to the violence in Sudan, stressing that there is no military solution to the conflict. The UAE underscores the importance of dialogue and peaceful resolution, and remains engaged with all relevant stakeholders to support processes aimed at achieving a lasting political settlement and forming a government that includes and is led by civilians.