UAE pledges $500 million in aid for Sudan

WASHINGTON - The United Arab Emirates pledged on Tuesday $500 million in humanitarian aid to support war-torn Sudan, marking a significant contribution to international efforts addressing one of the world's most severe ongoing crises.

The announcement came during a high-level donors' conference hosted by the US in Washington, D.C. with the aim of mobilising resources for Sudan's humanitarian response while building momentum for a truce in the nearly three-year conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

UAE Minister of State Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, who led the Emirati delegation, delivered the pledge to a United Nations fund dedicated to humanitarian aid in Sudan. 

Nusseibeh emphasised the urgent needs of the Sudanese people, noting that more than half of the population requires immediate assistance for essentials like food, medical care, shelter, and other life-saving support. 

She called for an "immediate cessation of hostilities" and reiterated the UAE's desire for a truce.

This latest commitment builds on the UAE's established role as a major donor to Sudan. 

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), since the conflict erupted in April 2023, the UAE has provided approximately $784 million in relief and humanitarian assistance (prior to this pledge), positioning it as the second-largest donor after the United States. 

Over the broader period from 2015 to 2025, Emirati aid to Sudan has exceeded $4.24 billion.

The Washington conference highlighted broader diplomatic efforts, including those of the "Quad" group - comprising the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE - to secure a humanitarian truce. This would involve demilitarizing key areas and scaling up aid delivery. 

US Special Envoy for Africa Massad Boulos expressed cautious optimism about a comprehensive peace plan, expected to incorporate input from regional players like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, and to be acceptable to the warring parties. 

Boulos indicated expectations of around $1.5 billion in total new funding pledges at the event, with the US earmarking an additional $200 million for Sudan via UN channels.

The UAE's pledge arrives amid Sudan's deepening humanitarian catastrophe. The war has displaced over 10 million people, triggered widespread famine risks, destroyed infrastructure, and left millions without access to basic services. 

International aid organizations continue to face challenges in delivering assistance due to ongoing fighting, bureaucratic hurdles, and restrictions on access.

This substantial aid promise underscores the UAE's commitment to humanitarian diplomacy in the region, even as global attention seeks to translate financial support into tangible progress toward peace and stability for Sudan's suffering population. 

Implementation details for the $500 million - such as timelines and specific allocation through UN agencies - were not immediately specified in the announcement, but it is expected to prioritize emergency relief and support for displaced communities.