Geneva: The United Arab Emirates announced the allocation of US$15 million to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to support its humanitarian response for Sudan and neighboring countries during the UNHCR Pledging Conference for the 2026 Global Appeal. This contribution highlights the UAE's ongoing commitment to assisting populations affected by conflict and instability.
According to Emirates News Agency, Jamal Al Musharakh, UAE Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva, reiterated the UAE's dedication to aiding refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) worldwide. He pointed out that global displacement has reached unprecedented levels due to conflict, persecution, and climate-related challenges, emphasizing the need for enhanced collective action based on solidarity and shared responsibility.
Al Musharakh addressed the severe humanitarian crises in South Sudan, Sudan, the Sahel, Myanmar, and Ukraine, which continue to displace families both across borders and within their own countries. He noted the critical issue of internal displacement in regions like the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa, where violence and climate pressures intensify needs. He highlighted the increased vulnerability of women, children, and at-risk groups who face significant protection risks and require targeted support.
He underscored the UAE's commitment to delivering principled humanitarian assistance through UAE AID in coordination with UNHCR and other partners, supporting host communities and ensuring access to essential services for displaced persons. He stated that refugees and IDPs are individuals with dignity and have the right to live in safety and hope.
He also stressed the importance of predictable funding and equitable burden-sharing to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need in a safe, sustainable, and unimpeded manner. Through its US$15 million pledge, the UAE aims to bolster protection and assistance programs for those affected by the crisis in Sudan and neighboring countries, contributing to long-term stability and resilience.
This aid is part of the UAE's steadfast commitment to addressing the catastrophic crisis and collaborating with regional and international partners, particularly in Africa, to ensure stability and sustainable development for the Sudanese people. This reflects the core values of humanitarian solidarity rooted in the UAE's leadership and people.
The UAE continues its humanitarian efforts in support of the Sudanese population. Since the conflict's outbreak in 2023, the UAE has provided US$784 million in relief and humanitarian assistance, making it the second largest donor to Sudan, after the United States, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The total value of aid provided by the UAE to the Sudanese people between 2015 and 2025 has exceeded US$4.24 billion.
The UNHCR Pledging Conference is an annual event held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, gathering Member States to announce voluntary contributions to support UNHCR's global humanitarian response for the upcoming year.