UAE: More than 260 Sudanese stranded in country by conflict as local communities offer shelter, food – News

They visited Dubai, intending to return to their home countries before or during Eid, but found themselves stranded after the sudden closure of Khartoum airport

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The Sudanese community provided shelter and food to more than 260 Sudanese trapped in the country by the closure of Khartoum’s airport in the wake of the military conflict, who came to the UAE to shop, seek medical treatment or transit in the capital a week before the outbreak. They ran out of money and their visitor visas expired.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dr. Amin Jaffar Taha, Head of the UAE Sudanese Community and Sudanese Social Club, said the stranded people came to Dubai for shopping and other purposes and planned to return to their home countries before or during Eid al-Fitr. When the Khartoum clashes erupted, they found themselves stranded in Dubai with limited cash, leaving some of them running out of money. They find themselves with nowhere to go.

The stranded have appealed to members of the Sudanese community to help provide them with accommodation and food until conditions improve and they are able to return to Khartoum.

The Sudanese Community Club responded to their appeal with aplomb, setting up a committee in coordination with the Sudanese Consulate General in Dubai to support them until they are able to return home. Dr Taha explained that they set up a group on WhatsApp to find stranded people and provide them with what they need.

“We have [assigned] and post it on social media, giving them access to Sudanese community clubs.We have taken in 260 stranded people so far, including women [and] family.When we researched their situation, we found that some of them had already checked out and arrived at the airports in various emirates to check in, but [met with] Cancellation of trip to Khartoum Airport.they have no money in their pockets [had] nowhere to go. “

Dr Taha added that the stranded included two patients who had come to Dubai for treatment and their companions. The formed committee provided accommodation for these and 20 men at the City Palace Hotel in Bur Dubai until the end of this month.

Meanwhile, 18 men were housed at the York International Hotel in Bur Dubai. A total of 24 women were housed in furnished apartments in Al Yasmine Tower, Emirate of Ajman.

Dr Taha said: “We communicated with the human rights department of the Dubai Police and coordinated with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable Foundation and the Consulate General in Dubai and the northern emirates. They [helped] Free accommodation for 120 people for 15 days at the Youth Home in Al Qusais, with food and care provided. Most of these people spent their first two days at the mosque. “

“However, the number of people is expected to increase, so we are now coordinating with UAE Crescent, Dar Al Ber Charity Organization and Zayed to provide support for charity work organizations, including accommodation and food.”

Rona Mawia Hamza, social affairs secretary at the Sudan Social Club, said community members had formed a committee to support women. The group of women included two cancer patients, one with blood clots and the other with pulmonary edema. Sudanese volunteer doctors and pharmacists provide all necessary medical services free of charge and continue to follow them every day. “

Speaking to the Khaleej Times, Fatima Eissa, 55, said she came to Dubai only to spend 10 days during the Eid festival buying goods to sell to her customers in Khartoum. Her flight was booked on April 15, but clashes erupted on April 14, causing her trip to be canceled while the airport was closed.

“I only have Dh300 left and I don’t know where to go; I’m worried. I’ve talked to some people [people] Who advised me to use social media such as Facebook and WhatsApp. Thank you God and members of the UAE community and UAE charitable organizations for their help and support,” she said.

The SA said she was from India and had been in Dubai for three days but was stranded when her Emirates flight was cancelled.

Yousif Al Sadeq said they were due to leave the UAE on April 15 on an Emirates flight, but after boarding passes were issued, he was told the flight had been cancelled. There were 16 people preparing to board the plane, including the sick and the elderly, none of whom now know where to go or what to do.

“Members of the Sudanese community coordinated with the consulate to help us and provide us with accommodation and necessary needs. They are still providing support,” Al Sadeq said.