UAE stands tall in Sudan: A humanitarian beacon amid crisis and criticism

Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a reliable force for good — steadfast in its commitment to Sudan despite politically motivated smear campaigns.

Since the eruption of conflict in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the UAE has provided critical lifelines to millions of Sudanese civilians, balancing humanitarian action with diplomatic integrity.

With a legacy of aid that dates back to the 1970s, the UAE has reaffirmed its position as a compassionate global actor — undeterred by slander, driven instead by a deep-rooted mission to support peace, dignity, and development.

Key highlights of UAE’s humanitarian support in Sudan

The UAE has extended $3.5 billion in humanitarian assistance to Sudan over the past decade. Since the latest outbreak of violence, $600.4 million has been distributed — including a $200 million pledge made during the High-Level Pledging Event in Addis Ababa in February 2024.

Air and sea relief corridors

Through an established air bridge, the UAE dispatched 162 aid flights delivering 13,168 tonnes of food, medicine, and emergency supplies. Aid has also been transported by sea, with over 6,300 tonnes of food and 280 tonnes of medical cargo shipped to conflict zones and refugee communities.

Over two million beneficiaries

More than two million people have directly benefited from the UAE’s humanitarian operations. This includes critical support to Sudanese refugees in Chad, Uganda, and South Sudan, where thousands of tonnes of aid have been delivered.

Healthcare and education support

The UAE has funded and operated three field hospitals — two in Chad and one in South Sudan — which have treated nearly 91,000 patients. Some 127 healthcare facilities across 14 Sudanese states have received support. The UAE has also committed over $70 million to UN agencies including WFP, UNICEF, WHO, and UNHCR while a $4 million agreement with UNICEF ensures continued education for Sudanese refugee children in Chad.

Diplomatic commitment

Throughout the crisis, the UAE has called for a comprehensive ceasefire, prioritising peaceful dialogue over partisanship. Despite baseless accusations from the Sudanese Armed Forces, independent analysts and UN documentation consistently affirm the UAE’s impartial, humanitarian stance.

Experts like Kuwaiti analyst Khalid Al-Ajmi and Dr Imad Al-Din Hussein Bahar Al-Din have underscored the UAE’s focus on stability and human welfare — not political gain. Their testimonies highlight the UAE’s transparent cooperation with international bodies and unwavering moral compass.

Fighting disinformation with action

UN reports have documented serious human rights violations — including extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests — by the Sudanese military. Analysts view the allegations against the UAE as diversion tactics to evade accountability.

Still, the UAE remains undeterred. Its efforts are guided by its broader foreign policy of peaceful conflict resolution, respect for sovereignty, and rejection of proxy warfare in Sudan.

A legacy of generosity

From building infrastructure in the 1970s to delivering life-saving aid in 2024, the UAE’s contributions in Sudan are deeply rooted in its founding values. In a time of growing global apathy, the UAE’s humanitarian resolve stands as a beacon of hope — unmoved by slander, unwavering in its mission.