UNHCR, the UN High Commission for Refugees, has praised the UAE's efforts in alleviating the plight of refugees, after it signed a cooperation agreement worth AED14.5 million, US$4 million, in support of projects for South Sudanese refugees and the host communities in Uganda last week.

Toby Harward, Head of UNHCR’s office in the UAE, lauded the agreement, noting, "UNHCR highly appreciates the UAE’s generous support. The agreement reflects the UAE’s continued commitment to respond to refugee crises through sustainable development projects, in support of South Sudan refugees and local communities in equal measure."

The donation will support the implementation of water, education and shelter projects as well as professional training. The projects are expected to benefit some 600,000 people, including South Sudanese refugees and the host communities in northern Uganda.

"Today, we see unprecedented levels of forced displacement due to conflicts and wars on a global level, and there are continuous and increasing needs to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected." Harward added.

The agreement was signed by Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Toby Harward, Head of the UNHCR office in the UAE. It comes after a pledge was announced by the UAE during the Uganda Solidarity Summit on Refugees, which took place in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, in June.

Around 2 million South Sudanese have fled the country since the beginning of the crisis in December, 2013. Uganda, where the number of refugees from South Sudan has now reached one million, is the largest host country in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic