UAE allocates US$30 million in emergency aid for civilians in Sudan’s El Obeid

Abu Dhabi: Under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has announced an emergency humanitarian response worth US$30 million to support civilians affected by the deteriorating situation in El Obeid, North Kordofan, Sudan. The assistance will be delivered through the UAE Aid Agency, reflecting the UAE’s longstanding humanitarian approach and continued commitment to supporting the brotherly Sudanese people. Responding to urgent humanitarian needs The emergency support comes as humanitarian conditions in El Obeid and surrounding areas continue to worsen, with civilians and displaced persons facing growing needs for food, healthcare, safe drinking water and shelter. The UAE stressed the need for an immediate and coordinated humanitarian response to ensure life-saving assistance reaches those most in need, particularly vulnerable groups. The country also reaffirmed that protecting civilians in El Obeid and across Sudan must remain a priority for the international community, urging all parties to the conflict to comply with international humanitarian law, avoid escalation in populated areas and facilitate the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid. Protecting civilians remains a priority Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State and Member of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, said the emergency response reflects the UAE leadership’s commitment to placing people at the centre of its humanitarian efforts. He said that protecting civilians, enabling safe humanitarian corridors and addressing the urgent needs of displaced people and vulnerable groups — particularly children, women, the elderly and the sick — must remain the immediate focus. Sheikh Shakhboot added that the UAE will continue working with humanitarian and international partners to alleviate civilian suffering, strengthen relief efforts and help prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation. He also stressed the importance of ensuring that civilian suffering is not politicised and that international efforts remain focused on saving lives and supporting accountability through independent, professional and impartial mechanisms. UAE aid to Sudan reaches US$800 million Sheikh Shakhboot noted that the UAE has provided approximately US$800 million in assistance to Sudan since the outbreak of the crisis, underscoring the country's continued commitment to supporting the Sudanese people, strengthening humanitarian response efforts and assisting refugees, displaced persons and conflict-affected communities. Support through UN partnerships Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, said the assistance forms part of the UAE’s commitments to support humanitarian response plans in cooperation with the United Nations and its partners. The funding will contribute to the delivery of food assistance, healthcare services, shelter and vital support to refugees, displaced persons and vulnerable communities both inside Sudan and in neighbouring countries. Call for a political solution The UAE reiterated that there is no military solution to the crisis in Sudan and emphasised that efforts should focus on protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian access and supporting a Sudanese-led political process. The UAE stressed that achieving lasting peace, preserving Sudan’s unity and stability, and fulfilling the aspirations of the Sudanese people for security, prosperity and dignity remain the ultimate objectives.