Dubai's Leader Directs Immediate Humanitarian Relief To Gaza Via Airbridge

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has issued directives to expedite the dispatch of urgent relief supplies to Gaza. These supplies are being mobilized by the International Humanitarian City (IHC) in Dubai and will be transported via an essential relief airbridge to Gaza through El Arish Airport in Egypt. This initiative underscores Dubai's commitment to humanitarian missions and its role in addressing global crises.

Giuseppe Saba, CEO of IHC, emphasized the organization's proactive support for the international humanitarian community in responding to the ongoing emergency in Gaza. The mission of IHC is to save lives by meeting urgent medical needs in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). Saba highlighted the dedication of IHC and its partners to supporting vulnerable populations worldwide, aligning with Dubai and the UAE's humanitarian efforts.

An early Wednesday flight carried approximately 11 metric tonnes of medicines and medical supplies from WHO's stocks to El Arish Airport. This consignment is crucial for transferring aid into Gaza, coordinated by a WHO team. The shipment includes essential non-communicable disease kits and medicines, requiring strict temperature control during transportation. This mission marks the beginning of a series planned for this year, aiming to deliver desperately needed aid to Gaza's people.

Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, stated that WHO's logistics hub hosted in IHC serves as a lifeline for countries facing health emergencies across the region and beyond. The health crisis in Gaza and escalating hostilities in Rafah have severely restricted access to medical care due to shortages in the health system. Dr. Balkhy expressed gratitude for the support from Dubai's International Humanitarian City, the Government of Dubai, and the Government of the United Arab Emirates in delivering life-saving supplies to vulnerable populations.

Last year, IHC swiftly established an airbridge to facilitate urgent relief supplies for those affected by the crisis in Gaza. It managed six air shipments within ten days, leveraging its vast network and resources. This effort reaffirmed IHC's position as a leading humanitarian hub in the region, demonstrating its capability to respond rapidly to crises and support humanitarian missions effectively.

With inputs from WAM