UAE evacuates 178 people from Sudan, delivers critical aid with WHO

As part of ongoing humanitarian efforts, a plane carrying 178 people of seven nationalities arrived in the UAE on Sunday afternoon from Sudan.

The most vulnerable groups of the elderly, the sick, women, and children were onboard the aircraft as the Emirates has given them the highest priority in its evacuation operations from Sudan, which has been facing a deadly conflict between warring generals since April 15.

Among the evacuees was a Sudanese child with bullet injuries, who was rushed to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi for necessary medical care.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation confirmed the success of the UAE evacuation operation in a statement, while stressing the importance of intensifying efforts to establish a ceasefire and initiate a return to political discussions.

The UAE has been pursuing a neutral role in the Sudan crisis. As the fighting rages in the African country, the UAE has tirelessly been evacuating its citizens and people from other countries as well.

At the same time, it’s also currently hosting hundreds of evacuees of 24 nationalities transported on five flights since April 29 from Sudan, providing all essential services before they can safely be flown back to their home countries.

Last week on Tuesday, the UAE sent a plane carrying necessary food supplies to Abeche Airport on Chad’s border with Sudan.

The aid, expected to address the needs of thousands of refugees affected by the conflict, was delivered through the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) and the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation.

Moreover, earlier on Tuesday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, ordered emergency relief supplies delivery to Sudan, comprising of food and ration parcels – to be delivered through the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.

In addition to it, the Emirates and the WHO delivered 30 tonnes of essential medicines and other relief supplies to the African country on Friday, in the first shipment the global health agency has been able to supply by air since April 15 when the deadly clashes erupted.