UAE’s Comprehensive Humanitarian and Development Support to Sudan: A Decade of Lifesaving Assistance

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been a reliable donor to Sudan in terms of humanitarian and development aid over the last decade. Since 2014, the UAE has been delivering significant financial aid, emergency response, and health support as well as long-term developmental assistance to Sudan to overcome conflict, displacement, and economic instability. It has been working harder since the 2023 conflict started and it has been delivering humanitarian aid on a mass scale, providing medical assistance, nutrition initiatives, and diplomatic actions to stimulate peace. The constant cooperation of the UAE with the international community as well as countries where it hosts refugees emphasizes the desire of the state to ensure the safety of civilians, nourish refugees, and stabilize the situation.

UAE’s Humanitarian Aid and Emergency Relief Efforts

Since 2014, the UAE has provided Sudan with almost USD 4 billion of total aid, more than USD 700 million of which were delivered in the form of humanitarian aid following the 2023 conflict. During the 2025 humanitarian conference, the UAE promised a USD 200 million fund in which USD 100 million is to be given as relief efforts in El Fasher and North Darfur.

The UAE made 162 airlifts and several shipments by sea to deliver emergency supplies, to be able to act fast. Neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan and Ethiopia were also receiving aid in order to support displaced Sudanese people. The UAE shipped 12 700 tons of food, medicine and relief supplies, handed high-energy supplements to kids and mothers and delivered food bags at the borders and transit sites.

Tents, blankets, sanitation kits and ambulances and emergency vehicles were also on board as shelter assistance and assistance to border areas was given. The medical supplies shipments were vaccines, antibiotics and trauma kits that were necessary in the conflict zones.

Health, Education, and Community Support Programs

The UAE has financed 127 health facilities in 14 states in Sudan, field hospitals and mobile clinics. There is a solar-powered health clinic which serves 66,000 beneficiaries and 10 solar-powered wells serving about 65,000 refugees.

To empower the education sector, the UAE donated USD 4 million to UNICEF, which helps refugees to learn, build classrooms, school kits, and teacher assistance and especially in Chad. Sudanese residents and students number 240,000 and 33,000 in the UAE respectively, and they are provided with scholarships and education visas.

There are dedicated programs such as USD 10.25 million to UN women programs, infant nutrition and agricultural recovery programs to increase food security.

Diplomacy, Development, and Long-Term Cooperation

In addition to the role of humanitarian relief, the UAE is an active diplomatic participant, as it helps to negotiate ceasefires, promote civilians, and cooperate with the African Union (AU) and IGAD to discuss negotiations. The nation gives USD 70 million to humanitarian activity of the UN within Sudan and USD 30 million to refugee aid in host nations.Traditionally, the UAE has been investing in Sudan roads, railways and industrial development which strengthens the long term economic relationships. It still works with WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, and ICRC in organising emergency and development programmes.