UAE Allocates $8 Million to Chad to Fight Hunger and Malnutrition Amid El Niño Food Crisis

The UAE has committed USD 8 Million to fund humanitarian response efforts within Chad to respond to the humanitarian impacts of the El Niño climate phenomenon, which has exacerbated food security vulnerabilities and led to heightened food insecurity and malnutrition risk.

The funding comes from the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and will be delivered via the UAE Aid Agency.

It is expected to increase food security, and to help communities that have been impacted by extreme weather events, such as floods, and have had their livelihoods and production reduced.

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UAE Aid Targets Hunger and Food Insecurity

The UAE will support particular communities that have proven to be at a high risk level for food shortages and malnutrition. The support aims to bolster food access, and to support vulnerable groups as they adapt to the impacts of climate change on food access.

Agroagricultural disturbance can have an impact on the households’ income which may lead to food insecurity for the members of the household, making food security a humanitarian concern that has grown in recent years.

Climate Change Increasing Humanitarian Pressures

Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, spoke about the link between humanitarian situations and the impact of climate-related shocks.

He cited higher temperature, anomalies in water availability and water shortages as additional stressors on water systems and communities. Well, such conditions can interfere with farming operations and increase the susceptibility of people to hunger and malnutrition.

Chad’s Most Vulnerable Communities

UAE’s support will prioritize communities most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate phenomenon on the humanitarian situation.

The program will not just fix a problem of immediate need for food for many but also build resilience in communities for the next climatic event. This strategy is an integrated strategy where humanitarian assistance is combined with longer-term resilience.

Building Greater Climate Resilience

The $8m available is part of a wider initiative to boost resilience, as well as humanitarian assistance. Community vulnerability to future climate pressures could be mitigated through resilience building interventions in communities to lessen the impacts of future climate change-related disruptions on livelihoods and food access.

Dr. Al Ameri said developing the resilience of the most vulnerable to climate related issues is key to tackling the broader humanitarian impact of extremes.

UAE’s Broader Humanitarian Efforts 

The UAE’s efforts in the field of humanitarian assistance are integral to the UAE’s broader humanitarian activities.

The project is part of the UAE’s global humanitarian and development agenda to prevent hunger, bolster food security and relieve the impact of crises and disasters around the world.

The UAE is currently supporting vulnerable humanitarian communities through the UAE Aid Agency. In the latest relief operation, food security and climate resilience are at the forefront of support to Chad.

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