UAE Begins Operating Air Bridge to Provide Relief to Flood Victims in Sudan

The United Arab Emirates began on Saturday the operation of an air bridge to Khartoum to transport large quantities of relief aid and shelter materials for those affected by the torrential rains and floods in Sudan, reported the state news agency WAM.

The air bridge was established at the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and will be supervised by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC).

The first aircraft left the country, carrying 30 tons of various shelter materials, and will be followed by three more planes.

The aircraft will be received by the ERC delegation, which has already set base in Sudan to provide victims with support and assistance, and supervise the relief program that has been underway for several days.

The ERC is overseeing the operation of the air bridge, which will deliver aid to over 140,000 victims and displaced persons across a number of Sudanese states that have been most impacted, including the Blue Nile, Khartoum and Gezira.

The relief supplies include around 10,000 tents, 28,000 food and medical aid parcels, 120 tons of various shelter materials and urgent relief materials, which will help improve the living conditions of the affected population, and support the efforts of Sudanese and other relevant entities in containing the crisis.

The ERC delegation had arrived in Khartoum soon after the crisis started, and has been traveling between the most disaster-stricken states, especially Blue Nile and Gezira.