The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been proactive in addressing the escalating humanitarian needs in Sudan, intensifying its efforts by dispatching humanitarian, relief, and developmental aid. This includes the launch of various initiatives and the provision of financial packages to support international organizations engaged in relief and medical work.
This support forms part of the UAE’s humanitarian commitment to stand by the Sudanese people, especially during times of crisis.
2019: Aid Package Worth $1.5 Billion
In April 2019, the UAE announced a $1.5 billion aid package aimed at bolstering Sudan’s economic and financial stability. This package included a deposit of $250 million into the Central Bank of Sudan, the supply of 540,000 tons of wheat valued at $150 million to meet food needs, educational supplies worth $15 million for 400,000 students, and $11 million in support of the agricultural sector.
2020: Support for Health Sector During COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, the UAE sent seven planes carrying a total of 230 tons of medical aid to Sudan, with 130 tons provided by the Abu Dhabi Development Fund. This support benefitted over 14,000 healthcare workers, enhancing their efforts to manage the spread of COVID-19.
2021: Ongoing Health and Educational Support
The UAE continued to provide medical and pharmaceutical aid to its Sudanese counterparts. This included the operation of the Mohamed bin Zayed field hospital in Darfur, equipped with 208 beds to treat COVID-19 patients, along with all necessary medical equipment and medications. In the education sector, the delivery of school supplies, including desks, continued to meet the needs of students across various Sudanese states.
2022: Emergency Response to Flooding and Educational Support
In August 2022, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, directed the provision of urgent humanitarian aid worth 25 million dirhams for those affected by floods in Sudan. The assistance included 10,000 tents, 28,000 relief packages, and 120 tons of various shelter materials, benefiting over 140,000 Sudanese in the Nile River, Khartoum, and Gezira states.
In September 2022, the UAE Red Crescent Authority distributed school bags and stationery to children from disadvantaged families affected by the floods, thereby supporting the continuity of education in the impacted areas.
2023: Response to Humanitarian Crisis
In May 2023, the UAE, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, sent a plane carrying 30 tons of urgent medical supplies to Sudan, valued at $444,000. These supplies were sufficient to treat injuries, provide emergency surgical materials, and offer essential medications for 165,000 people.
2024: Additional Support for Health and Education Sectors
In June 2024, the UAE allocated $8 million to the World Health Organization to bolster health initiatives in Sudan, aimed at alleviating the harsh conditions faced by the Sudanese populace. In August 2024, an agreement was signed with UNICEF for $7 million in humanitarian efforts in Sudan and South Sudan, with $6 million designated specifically for Sudan to enhance primary healthcare and education for women and children.
2025: Continued Humanitarian Support
In March 2025, the UAE inaugurated the Madhol field hospital in South Sudan with a capacity of 100 beds, catering to nearly two million individuals from both the host community and Sudanese refugees. This marks the third hospital established by the UAE to provide medical services to Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries.
