Qatar has been at the forefront of provision of humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people, especially during the ongoing conflict in the country. Under directives by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar launched an air bridge in early May to deliver humanitarian aid to people affected by the ongoing fighting in Sudan. So far, 12 planes have delivered more than 370 tonnes of developmental, food and medical aid under the air bridge set up by Qatar. At the same time, Qatar has evacuated nearly 1,800 people from Sudan.
Qatar has also been playing its part in brokering an end to the conflict. It has called on the warring sides to reach lasting peace to prevent loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure. Qatar has also pledged $50m to support humanitarian response in Sudan and the regional plan for refugees. During a high-level pledging conference on Sudan in June, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani reaffirmed that Qatar will spare no effort in standing by the Sudanese people until they overcome this crisis, asserting that the consolidated and firm position of Qatar is to support unity, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan and reject any forms of meddling in Sudan's internal affairs and full respect of its people's options in freedom, peace, justice and prosperity.
Qatar has also stressed that there is no military solution to this conflict and the only way is through political solution. It has urged the warring sides to stop fighting immediately, uphold the public interest of the Sudanese people, favor dialogue and peaceful means to end the crisis, adhere to international humanitarian law and international human rights law which compel all to protect civilians, media and civil institutions and secure access of humanitarian aid to the needy people everywhere without discrimination and with a complete impartiality in accordance with the international humanitarian principles and standards.
The war between the Sudanese army and paramilitary force RSF has killed at least 3,900 people, according to a conservative estimate, and displaced some 3.5 million. Over 2.6 million people have been displaced within Sudan since the war began, and more than 800,000 others have fled across borders.
Talks between representatives of the two sides have taken place and multiple ceasefires announced, but fighting continues in Khartoum and other parts of the country. It’s time the warring sides prioritised peace and safety of the people and came to the negotiating table.
