World Health Organization praises UAE’s generous support to Sudan

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised the UAE’s support to Sudan and thanked the UAE for its generous support to Sudan by allocating 70 percent of its pledged $100 million to the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies in Sudan.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization stressed through the official account of the “X” platform that joint efforts are needed to protect the lives of the most vulnerable groups and continue to support the urgent health needs of the Sudanese people and help refugees in neighboring countries with the support of partners and donors.

As one of the major donors of humanitarian aid to Sudan and Africa, the UAE has allocated 70 percent of the $100 million donation announced at the International Humanitarian Conference on Sudan last April to aid Sudan and Africa. United Nations agencies and their humanitarian and relief organizations support Sudan’s humanitarian efforts.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that support will be directed to key partners and UN agencies, including the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Programme, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization to ensure comprehensive measures to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and reduce the exacerbation of famine. The measures taken by the UAE include providing all types of assistance, especially food and health assistance, protecting women and children, and providing livelihoods and shelter in emergency situations, which confirms its commitment to addressing all aspects of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

“The UAE’s assistance to Sudan and its neighbours comes within the framework of the wise leadership’s continued keenness to provide humanitarian and relief support to the brotherly Sudanese people, and reflects the great United Arab Emirates’ attention to humanitarian challenges and its commitment to continue providing him with humanitarian assistance and support,” said Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, noting that it will provide assistance to El Fasher in Sudan in cooperation with the World Food Programme.

She also stated that since the beginning of the Sudan crisis, the UAE (with Sudan and neighboring Chad) has launched an air bridge aimed at providing all forms of support and assistance to Sudanese brothers and alleviating the severity of the humanitarian situation in Sudan and neighboring countries. Since the beginning of the crisis, the UAE has provided $130 million to support humanitarian response operations and has provided 9,500 tons of food and medical supplies through the operation of 148 relief aircraft and a ship carrying about 1,000 tons of emergency relief supplies. The UAE also supports Sudanese refugee camps in Abéché and some areas of Chad. In addition, a plane carrying 100 tons of food aid was also airlifted to Sudanese refugees in South Sudan through the World Food Program.

She added: “Within the framework of providing medical services to Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries, the UAE has established two field hospitals in Amdgrass and Abéché in Chad to support our fellow Sudanese refugees. Their services cover all civilians, regardless of nationality, age, gender or political affiliation. Since its opening, the Amdgrass hospital has admitted more than 29,378 cases.”

The statement reiterated the UAE’s position, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and promoting the cessation of conflict and an end to the crisis in a way that strengthens Sudan’s security and stability by returning to the political track, giving priority to voices of wisdom and reason, and strengthening collective action and joint efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis, and to stop the bloodshed and reach a national consensus in a way that is consistent with the aspirations to form a government with civilian participation and leadership that seeks development and prosperity for the brotherly people.

For his part, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi thanked the UAE for its contribution to supporting humanitarian efforts inside Sudan and in its neighbouring countries. “The Sudanese people are suffering the horrific consequences of this brutal war and need urgent support,” he said. “State contributions are critical to providing essential, life-saving humanitarian assistance to those most in need in Sudan and those forced to seek refuge outside Sudan.”

Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Government and people of the UAE for their generous support of up to $70 million to help with relief efforts through the United Nations to the people of Sudan. With this donation, we can step up our lifesaving support for families and communities besieged by Sudan’s unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Your support and solidarity demonstrate the importance of global partnership to make a real difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.”

Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), said: “FAO appreciates the financial contribution provided by the UAE as part of a wider inter-agency support to reduce hunger in Sudan. This is a critical time that requires urgent seed distribution and contribution to support the agricultural season. This partnership and this support will help achieve the expected objectives of the seed distribution activities organized by FAO, providing food for 1.2 million households in Sudan and securing the livelihoods of 6 million people.”

“WFP welcomes all the commitments related to its food operations in Sudan,” said Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme. She added: “With this donation, we will be able to help vulnerable people at risk of hunger.”