Countries around the world donated more than $1.8 billion to support Sudan’s fledgling transition to democracy at conference hosted by Germany on Thursday.
The funding will help to ease Sudan's dire economic situation, which sparked the revolution against autocrat Omar Al Bashir last year.
The EU donated €312m (Dh1.28bn, $350.1m), America gave $356.2m, Germany €150m and France €100m.
The money will be spent on various projects in Sudan, officials told the online event.
The UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation, Reem Al Hashimy, pledged to provide $50m for economic growth initiatives in Sudan, in co-operation with the World Bank, to ensure job creation and encourage quality investments.
The funding provided urgent cash to maintain Sudan's import of vital goods.
“I could speak for hours about the relations between UAE and Sudan,” Ms Al Hashimy said.
She also spoke of supplies delivered to Sudan to help in the fight against Covid-19.
Ms Al Hashimy said she hoped that peace deals being negotiated in Juba would be concluded soon to resolve long-running civil conflicts in Sudan.
The support through the World Bank, she said, was part of the UAE’s belief that investment was the way to create a prosperous future for the country.
Spain said it was providing €3m but was ready to cancel $74m in debt as soon as “conditions are met”.
The Arab League committed to help build up Sudan's public institutions and support for the peace process.
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, running Sudan under a transitional power-sharing deal with the military, is desperate for foreign support.
Mr Hamdok thanked the international community for its support.
“We are extremely delighted with responses we’re hearing from partners and friends,” he said.
“It is the kind of support we had hoped for. There is a lot to be done, not only with solidarity but investment in the region.”
Mr Hamdok said that without the support, instability could spread through a volatile region in east and north-east Africa and disaffected young people would keep migrating by sea to Europe.
"We expect our partners to support us to have a successful transition," he said.
"I do not want to paint a rosy picture. Any transition is messy and there are so many challenges."
Inflation topped an annual 100 per cent last month and the Sudanese pound plunged to 141 to the dollar on the black market, compared to 55 at the official rate.
Sudan revolution in pictures
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for massive aid, saying the region needed a stable and democratic Sudan.
A World Bank organised family cash scheme was central to many of the donations.
It aims to soften the blow from the removal of subsidies for fuel and other goods, which was demanded by western donors.
The subsidies cost Sudan an estimated $3bn a year.
The family cash scheme will soon aim to give $5 a person a month to nearly 80 per cent of Sudanese people.
The World Bank’s president, David Malpass, said it was important that the funds be channelled through the government to promote accountability, trust and capacity.
As nations pledged support, they also praised the progress made since the transitional agreement last summer.
Donors highlighted the challenges of providing more direct support to Sudan while it remains under US sanctions as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Discussions are continuing between Washington and Khartoum on resolving compensation claims about terrorist attacks that led to that designation, but there is no clear timetable on when the US will remove the listing.
USAid's acting administrator, John Barsa, said Washington would work with Sudan on the issue and highlighted the tenfold increase in support pledged on Thursday.
The US donation alone will go towards development and democratic transition programmes.
The conference also heard from some Sudanese people about the situation in the country.
Karar Ibrahim, a farmer, told delegates how the shortages of seeds, fuel and basic supplies affected their livelihoods.
“Our irrigation pumps and tools are old and inefficient," Mr Ibrahim said.
"If the minister of agriculture could provide seeds and fuel, then Sudan could indeed be the breadbasket of the world."
Artist Hamza Adam said despite the nation's advances towards democracy, change has yet to be felt.
“After 18 months, opportunities remain scarce or non-existent,” Adam said.
“The youth have not yet observed a clear transformation in their lives since the revolution and our dreams of finding a job have not yet come true.”
Many delegates also touched on support given during the coronavirus pandemic and the initiatives needed to address the economic impact of Covid-19.
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo and dual electric motors
Power: 300hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,500-3,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.0L/100km
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On sale: now
The biog
Name: Salem Alkarbi
Age: 32
Favourite Al Wasl player: Alexandre Oliveira
First started supporting Al Wasl: 7
Biggest rival: Al Nasr
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
A Prayer Before Dawn
Director: Jean-Stephane Sauvaire
Starring: Joe Cole, Somluck Kamsing, Panya Yimmumphai
Three stars
The specs: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
Price, base / as tested: Dh259,000
Engine: 6.4-litre V8
Power: 475hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 640Nm @ 4,300rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
SPECS
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
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- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
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- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
ABU%20DHABI%20CARD
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T20 World Cup Qualifier, Muscat
UAE FIXTURES
Friday February 18: v Ireland
Saturday February 19: v Germany
Monday February 21: v Philippines
Tuesday February 22: semi-finals
Thursday February 24: final
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 1', Kane 8' & 16') West Ham United 3 (Balbuena 82', Sanchez og 85', Lanzini 90' 4)
Man of the match Harry Kane
PROFILE
Name: Enhance Fitness
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 200
Amount raised: $3m
Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors
Bharat
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
The%20specs
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If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)