The United Arab Emirates has signed an agreement to deliver $5 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan, as the country grapples with a deepening civil war that has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
The agreement, signed between the UAE Aid Agency and the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is aimed at strengthening emergency response efforts through the Sudan Humanitarian Fund.
The initiative seeks to address urgent needs including food insecurity, healthcare shortages, shelter, and protection for millions affected by the ongoing conflict.
“In light of the continuing conflict in Sudan, the UAE continues its urgent humanitarian response and stands in solidarity with those affected by this tragic and devastating civil war,” said Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, according to state news agency Wam.
He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to supporting international efforts that aim to save lives and meet critical humanitarian needs in conflict-ridden regions.
Al Ameri also highlighted the scale of displacement caused by the war, noting that millions of Sudanese have fled to neighbouring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
He stressed that the growing refugee flows require intensified international co-operation and swift humanitarian action to support early recovery and regional stability.
Sudan descended into conflict in 2023 when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), former allies whose power struggle plunged the country into chaos. Both sides have been accused of committing war crimes, further compounding the suffering of civilians caught in the fighting.
The humanitarian impact has been devastating. According to the United Nations, tens of thousands of people have been killed, while more than 13 million have been displaced from their homes. The crisis has overwhelmed already fragile infrastructure and left millions in need of urgent assistance.
Earlier this week, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described Sudan as having been pushed into “an abyss of unimaginable dimensions.” His remarks followed a five-day visit to the country—his first since November 2022—which included stops in Port Sudan and displacement camps in the east.
Türk warned that continued violence and limited humanitarian access are worsening conditions for civilians.
The UAE has been a major contributor to humanitarian relief efforts in Sudan over the past decade. Since 2015, it has provided approximately $4.24 billion in assistance to the country. Following the outbreak of the current conflict in 2023, the UAE has allocated $784 million specifically for humanitarian aid.
The latest contribution underscores the UAE’s stated commitment to multilateral action and humanitarian diplomacy, as international agencies continue to appeal for funding to avert further catastrophe in Sudan.