UAE delivers $550 million aid package as Sudan reels from worst flooding in a century

Cash boost forms part of a wider $1.5 billion investment project developed in the Emirates

A Sudanese man stands in flood waters in Tuti island, where the Blue and White Nile merge in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. AFP

A man passes on the side of a flooded road in the town of Alkadro, about 20 kilometres north of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. AP Photo

A Sudanese man holds bags to build a barricade to walk in flood waters in Tuti island, where the Blue and White Nile merge in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. AFP

Sudanese people stand in flood waters in Tuti island, where the Blue and White Nile merge in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. AFP

A Sudanese resident catches a fish in floodwater in the capital Khartoum's southern neighbourhood of al-Kalakla. AFP

A Sudanese man builds a barricade in Tuti island, where the Blue and White Nile merge. AFP

Enshirah Sharaf, left, a Sudanese psychologist, speaks next to victims of recent flooding at an education centre hosting them on Tuti island, where the Blue and White Nile merge between the twin cities of the capital Khartoum and Omdurman. AFP

A man passes on the side of a flooded road in the town of Alkadro. AP Photo

A man walks beside a flooded road in the town of Shaqilab, about 24 kilometres southwest of the capital, Khartoum. AP Photo

The UAE has pledged more than $550 million of crucial aid to help Sudan mount a recovery from its worst floods in a century.

The East African nation is struggling to feed its population after its most productive farmland was inundated last month.

About 860,000 people have been displaced across the country after the floods destroyed or damaged roughly 160,000 homes and claimed the lives of more than 100 people.

In September, Sudanese authorities declared a three-month state of emergency.

About 560 schools and thousands of health facilities have also been affected, disrupting essential services to communities.

Abu Dhabi Development Fund has implemented an aid package worth $556.5m to bolster Sudan's economy and key sectors such as health, education and agriculture.

The financial support is part of a wider $1.5 billion aid project for Sudan launched by the UAE last April.

How will the money be spent?

The $556.5m relief fund will strengthen the country's finances, boost food supplies and provide vital assistance to the under-pressure health and education sectors.

•The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has deposited $250m in the Central Bank of Sudan.

• $119.8m has been set aside for the Sudanese government budget.

• The Abu Dhabi fund supplied 490,000 tonnes of wheat worth $144.7m.

• $19.75m was allocated for 123 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies.

• Wheat packing bags worth $10.8m were purchased

• Education supplies to the value of $11.4m will cover the needs of 400,000 students.

"The UAE is committed to continuing to implement the aid package it has approved and which amounts to a total of $1.5bn dedicated to meeting the needs of the Sudanese people," said Muhammed Saif Al Suwaidi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.

The UAE has delivered additional humanitarian aid in the wake of the deadly floods.

Three planes delivered essentials such as medicines, medical equipment and food to Sudan on behalf of Emirates Red Crescent last month.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, expressed his sympathies to the Sudanese people in the aftermath of the severe flooding last month.

“We stand in solidarity with Sudan following the devastating floods," he said.

"Our sincere condolences go out to the families of the victims, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured. Our thoughts remain with the Sudanese people during these difficult times.”

The US announced $81m of humanitarian aid for Sudan last week.

The funding includes more than $64m from the US Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and $17m from the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.