Key Takeaways
- A magnitude 6.7 to 7.0 earthquake struck off Taiwan's northeastern coast, widely shaking buildings in Taipei and initiating damage assessments.
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is strongly advocating for an immediate humanitarian truce in Sudan and unimpeded aid delivery, welcoming a critical UN assessment mission to Al-Fashir.
- The UAE has recently pledged $17 million in new aid for Sudan, including $15 million through the UNHCR and $2 million for healthcare, contributing to its total of $784 million since the conflict began.
- The devastating conflict in Sudan has led to the displacement of 12 million people and left 25 million facing hunger, with the UAE emerging as the second-largest international donor.
A powerful earthquake, measured between magnitude 6.7 and 7.0, struck off the coast of Yilan, Taiwan, on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at approximately 3:05 PM UTC (11:05 PM local time). The tremor was widely felt across the island, with witnesses in the capital, Taipei, reporting buildings shaking for nearly a minute. Authorities have initiated damage assessments, though there were no immediate reports of casualties or widespread destruction. This event follows a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that hit Taiwan just three days prior, underscoring the island's susceptibility to seismic activity due to its location at the junction of two tectonic plates.
Concurrently, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has significantly ramped up its diplomatic efforts and financial commitments to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The UAE welcomed the United Nations (UN) assessment mission to Al-Fashir (El Fasher) as a crucial step toward re-establishing humanitarian access for civilians who have endured months of siege and deprivation.
The UAE's Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Al Hashimy, emphasized the necessity for aid to reach Al-Fashir and all communities in need across Sudan swiftly, safely, and without obstruction, in full compliance with international humanitarian law. The nation has called upon both warring factions in Sudan to immediately facilitate full, unhindered humanitarian access nationwide and to implement an immediate, unconditional humanitarian truce.
In a tangible demonstration of its commitment, the UAE Aid Agency recently signed a cooperation agreement with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), pledging $15 million for the "Protection and Assistance for People Affected by the Conflict in Sudan" project, slated for 2026. Additionally, $2 million has been committed to the International Medical Corps, UK, specifically to bolster healthcare provisions in Sudan. These latest contributions bring the UAE's total humanitarian aid to Sudan since the conflict erupted in April 2023 to a substantial $784 million.
The ongoing civil war in Sudan has created a catastrophic humanitarian situation, displacing an estimated 12 million people and leaving 25 million—half of the country's population—grappling with severe hunger. The UAE currently stands as the second-largest international donor to Sudan, after the United States, and continues to collaborate with regional and international partners, including through the Quad framework, to press for a sustainable resolution.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.