UAE affirms its firm commitment to meeting the needs of women affected by the Sudanese crisis
State announced The UAE On launching new humanitarian initiatives in Chad, and providing a contribution of US$10.25 million to the United Nations to support Sudanese refugee women affected by the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
UAE announces new humanitarian initiative, allocates $10.25 million to UN in Chad to support women affected by conflict in Sudanhttps://t.co/vxcmiiBatL pic.twitter.com/HHjr3Xx5pZ
— MoFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@mofauae) September 14, 2024
According to Emirates News Agency “WAM” These efforts underscore the UAE’s commitment to meeting the urgent needs of women and children in the region, with a particular focus on providing healthcare, psychosocial support, and essential aid. The UAE also pledged $100 million at the Paris Donors Conference in April 2024.
The announcement of the initiatives came during a visit by Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs and Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Chad on Friday, September 13, where she and members of the accompanying UAE delegation met with Sudanese women refugees in Chad affected by the current conflict, as well as with civil society leaders from the brotherly Sudanese people, and UN agencies involved in humanitarian support.
The UAE delegation conducted fact-finding visits to humanitarian sites, including a refugee assistance centre and the field hospital in Abeche, which the UAE built to provide treatment to Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict.
The delegation also met with Fatima El-Jenia Jarfa, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Bashar Ali Suleiman, Governor General of Ouaddai State.
The UAE delegation received a field briefing on the challenges related to the distribution of humanitarian aid in some areas of Sudan where armed conflict and famine are raging, and the progress made in delivering humanitarian aid.
The delegation also conducted fact-finding visits to humanitarian sites, including a refugee assistance centre and the field hospital in Abeche, which was built by the UAE to provide treatment to Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict.
This initiative reflects the UAE’s commitment to following up on the priorities of affected communities and meeting their needs, ensuring that aid is effectively directed to those most in need.
The US$10.25 million will go to UN agencies with expertise in supporting women, with US$3 million going to the World Health Organization to support the health of Sudanese refugees’ mothers and children in Chad.
$2 million will be allocated to UNFPA for women’s health and gender-based violence programmes for Sudanese refugees, and $250,000 will be allocated to support the gender response programme in Chad within the United Nations World Food Programme.
The UAE will provide $3 million of the contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for programmes to enhance social cohesion among Sudanese refugee women and Chadian women in the host community. In addition, $2 million will be allocated to the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, which directly funds women-led civil society groups.
“Through this additional contribution, the UAE reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting those affected by conflict, especially women and children, who are often the most vulnerable groups. The UAE’s efforts in Chad, in collaboration with our international partners, highlight the UAE’s comprehensive approach to humanitarian assistance, which prioritizes immediate relief support to empower communities and prepare them for the future,” said Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation.
She added: “We thank our partners and civil society organizations, and we affirm the UAE’s readiness to provide continuous support to ensure that these essential resources are delivered to those in need effectively and immediately.”
“The UAE delegation’s visit and the allocation of USD 10.25 million reflect the country’s unwavering commitment to addressing the needs of women affected by the Sudanese crisis,” said Lana Nusseibeh. “We are here today to ensure that the support provided directly addresses the needs of those affected and to enhance humanitarian efforts. Our approach focuses on listening to women affected by the crisis and ensuring that our assistance effectively addresses their immediate and long-term needs.”
“This funding and our visit highlight the UAE’s commitment to empowering women and supporting regional stability. Sustainable peace in Sudan will not be achieved without the active participation of women,” she added.
Chad is the largest country hosting Sudanese refugees, having received 630,752 refugees since April 2023, with women and children making up 89% of registered refugees.
The UAE greatly appreciates and supports the efforts of the Government of Chad in providing safe haven for those fleeing the conflict in Sudan. The state visit and the funding provided represent a very important contribution to meeting the urgent needs of the most vulnerable groups.
“The conflict in Sudan has had a devastating impact on Sudanese women and children. WHO thanks the UAE for its support, which will enable WHO to continue providing maternal and child health services to Sudanese refugees in Chad. We must continue to work together to protect the lives of the most vulnerable,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.
The UAE is the largest contributor to humanitarian assistance, having provided US$230 million in aid since the start of the crisis in 2023, including 10,000 tons of food and medical supplies through 159 relief flights.
It also pledged $100 million at the Paris Donors Conference in April 2024, with $70 million of the pledges allocated to humanitarian organizations and $30 million to support Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries such as Chad, Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia.
