Residents wait to collect food in containers from a soup kitchen in Omdurman, Sudan. As Sudan’s crisis worsens, the UAE’s aid push is clouded by claims it is also fuelling the war.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is intensifying its humanitarian support to Sudan, even as it faces accusations of fuelling the conflict by backing one side. Now, analysts suggest the move reflects a strategy that goes beyond saving lives, aiming to also reshape perceptions of the UAE’s role in the war.
This week, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan authorised a substantial pledge of $550 million to support the UN’s Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO), which aims to raise an immediate $33 billion for 2026 to assist 135 million people across 23 humanitarian operations worldwide. Africa’s share will largely go to Sudan and its displaced population, making it the biggest recipient of Emirati aid.
