UAE warns starvation must not be weaponised as famine, displacement sweep Sudan

Al Etihad

28-04-2025

29 Apr 2025 01:10
ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)The UAE has warned that "assertions of sovereignty must never be used to justify starvation" amid an escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, as the war-torn country edges closer to full-scale famine and millions are forced from their homes.In a meeting on Monday with Kyoko Ono, Deputy Director of the Eastern and Southern Africa Branch at UNOCHA, the UAE Mission to the UN reaffirmed its position. "The UAE remains steadfast in its commitment to alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people," it said in a statement on X, adding that any obstruction or weaponisation of aid by the warring parties was unacceptable."Assertions of sovereignty must never be used to justify starvation. We will continue working closely with UNOCHA to deliver life-saving assistance to those in need," the statement added.The urgency is growing by the day. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported on Monday that the ongoing conflict has shredded food security across Darfur, with children under five and pregnant women among the most vulnerable.In South Darfur alone, over 7,200 severely malnourished cases were admitted to feeding programmes this year. With the rainy season about to hit, MSF warned that critical supply routes could soon become impassable, making it nearly impossible to bring in life-saving supplies at scale."There is no time to waste," the organisation said.The humanitarian situation has been worsened by mass displacement, as crossings into neighbouring countries like the Central African Republic and Egypt are surging. International Organization for Migration (IOM) figures, published on Monday, show that more than 400,000 people fled Zamzam camp in North Darfur this month alone, joining the millions already uprooted by violence.In the face of mounting needs, and in line with its firm commitment to supporting the people of Sudan, the UAE has remained one of the country's most consistent humanitarian backers.According to the UN's Financial Tracking Service, the UAE was Sudan's ninth-largest aid donor in 2024, providing more than $52 million - nearly double its 2023 contribution. Overall, since the conflict erupted, the UAE has delivered over $600 million in aid to Sudan and the region, setting up field hospitals, dispatching thousands of tonnes of relief supplies, and supporting UN-led operations.Beyond funding, the UAE has been vocal in calling for action to end civilian suffering and pushing for peace as the only solution.Speaking from The Hague earlier this month, UAE Ambassador Ameirah AlHefeiti took a firm line, warning that unless the warring parties commit to genuine negotiations and ceasefire efforts, they would face continued international scrutiny and accountability.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has strongly condemned attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers, including recent assaults on Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps that left hundreds dead. In a statement published earlier this month, the Ministry stressed that targeting humanitarian personnel is a blatant violation of international law and warned against any attempts to block life-saving aid.
As famine tightens its grip, the UAE has urged the international community to act swiftly, stressing that the protection of civilians and the unhindered flow of aid must be prioritised before millions more lives are lost.