UAE Strengthens Humanitarian Commitment to Sudan with Major Food Aid Initiative
The United Arab Emirates has significantly reinforced its humanitarian commitment to Sudan by signing a new cooperation agreement that will channel urgent food assistance to communities hit hardest by the ongoing conflict. This strategic partnership represents a crucial intervention during a period of severe food insecurity affecting millions of Sudanese people.
Substantial Financial Support for Emergency Response
The cooperation agreement was formally signed between the UAE Aid Agency and the United Nations World Food Programme, establishing a framework for accelerated emergency response efforts. Under this significant deal, the UAE will provide a substantial grant of US$20 million specifically designated to address urgent food security needs among vulnerable populations.
This funding will focus on delivering essential food assistance to people directly affected by the conflict while prioritizing displaced individuals living in host communities. The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, with Rashid Salem Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Logistics Support at the Agency, and Bashar Al Hammami, Head of the WFP Partnership Office in the UAE, representing their respective organizations.
Addressing Critical Needs Across Borders
Dr Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri emphasized that this agreement underscores the UAE's continued global humanitarian leadership and its steadfast commitment to alleviating suffering caused by the Sudanese conflict. He stressed the critical importance of meeting essential food requirements for displaced populations both within Sudan and across neighboring host countries, including Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
The UAE official further highlighted the shared international and moral responsibility to confront challenges facing famine-affected and high-risk areas, emphasizing the necessity of delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance during complex crises that threaten regional stability.
WFP Welcomes Strategic Partnership
Bashar Al Hammami expressed profound appreciation for the UAE's contribution, describing it as a critical boost for ongoing relief operations that will have tangible impacts on the ground. He confirmed that the US$20 million grant will directly support the World Food Programme's life-saving work in Sudan, enabling the organization to reach millions of people facing acute hunger and daily hardship.
This partnership will facilitate a measurable impact on vulnerable families through coordinated food distribution programs designed to address immediate nutritional deficiencies while building resilience against future food insecurity challenges.
Building on Long-Term Humanitarian Engagement
The latest agreement builds upon the UAE's extensive history of supporting the Sudanese people through sustained humanitarian engagement. Between 2015 and 2025, the UAE provided an impressive US$4.24 billion in comprehensive assistance to Sudan across various sectors.
This substantial commitment includes US$784 million in dedicated humanitarian aid delivered between 2023 and 2025 following the outbreak of the civil war, reflecting the UAE's sustained engagement during the most critical phase of the ongoing crisis when international attention was most needed.
Advocating for Humanitarian Access and Ceasefire
Alongside its significant financial support, the UAE has consistently reiterated the importance of coordinated action with regional and international partners to maximize humanitarian impact. The nation has renewed calls for a humanitarian ceasefire to protect civilian populations and ensure safe, unimpeded access for aid delivery operations.
This diplomatic advocacy aims to create conditions conducive to effective humanitarian intervention while contributing to long-term stability and sustainable peace for the Sudanese people through comprehensive conflict resolution approaches.
