The United Arab Emirates has signed an agreement with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to allocate $5 million to support the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF).
The agreement was signed by Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Development and Organizations Affairs, and Edem Wosornu, Director of the Operations and Advocacy Division at OCHA. The signing took place at the UAE’s mission to the UN in New York, attended by Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, and Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN.
Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, expressed gratitude, stating, “We are immensely grateful to the Government and people of the UAE for their generous support of $70 million to assist the people of Sudan through the United Nations. This allocation will enhance our life-saving support for families and communities affected by the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Sudan.”
He added, “The UAE’s contribution to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, managed by OCHA, will facilitate access to funds to meet the most critical humanitarian needs and emergencies, in line with the annual Humanitarian Response Plan.”
Lana Nusseibeh emphasized the UAE’s longstanding support for Sudan, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to Sudan’s prosperity and regional stability. “We are pleased to partner with OCHA and other UN agencies to provide vital aid to those in need,” she said.
Nusseibeh reiterated the UAE’s call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the crisis. “There is no military solution to this war. The conflicting parties must return to the negotiating table. To this end, the UAE will continue to work with all stakeholders and support any process that aims to put Sudan on the political path to achieve a lasting settlement and national consensus, leading to a civilian-led government.”
The UAE’s contribution to OCHA is part of a broader commitment of $70 million aimed at addressing urgent humanitarian needs in Sudan through UN agencies and humanitarian organizations. This funding is a significant portion of the UAE’s $100 million pledge announced during the “International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighboring Countries” held in April.
Over the past decade, the UAE has contributed more than $3.5 billion to Sudan. The UAE stresses that the priority is to ensure the protection of civilians and civil infrastructure, facilitate humanitarian aid access through multiple routes into and across conflict lines in Sudan, and provide essential support to the most vulnerable, particularly in conflict-affected areas.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has escalated significantly due to ongoing conflicts, political instability, and natural disasters. These challenges have resulted in massive displacement, severe food insecurity, and a strained healthcare system. The international community has been called upon to provide substantial humanitarian aid to address these urgent needs.
The UAE has a long history of supporting humanitarian initiatives worldwide, focusing on immediate relief and long-term development aid. Its contributions to Sudan are part of a broader strategy to support stability and development in the region. The recent pledge of $100 million at the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighboring Countries reflects the UAE’s commitment to addressing urgent humanitarian needs and supporting recovery efforts.
