UAE And WHO Initiate Urgent Medical Evacuation Of Palestinians To Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), has launched an urgent initiative to evacuate 85 critically ill and injured Palestinians from Gaza. This group includes cancer patients needing extensive treatment, accompanied by 63 family members. They will be transported to Abu Dhabi from Ramon airport in Israel via the Karam Abu Salem crossing.

This initiative highlights the pressing need for humanitarian intervention and underscores the UAE's unwavering support for Gaza's people amidst the ongoing crisis. The UAE continues to facilitate humanitarian efforts through various communication channels, extending assistance during this critical time.

Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, emphasised: "At this critical time, the urgency of our mission to evacuate injured Palestinians to Abu Dhabi cannot be overstated. This unprecedented route reflects the gravity of the situation and our resolute commitment to alleviating the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip and to ensure the arrival and distribution of relief through all available means, including land, sea and air."

Al Hashimy also noted that so far, 709 patients from Gaza have been welcomed in the UAE for medical treatment, along with 787 family members. This follows directives from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, aiming to care for 2,000 injured and cancer patients from Gaza.

She added: "This significant scale-up in our efforts demonstrates our solidarity with the Palestinian people and our determination to alleviate their suffering and ensure urgent, sustainable, unhindered delivery of aid at a wide scale and through all possible means. We remain resolute in our collaboration with international partners to ensure that our aid reaches those in desperate need."

Global Collaboration

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, expressed gratitude towards the UAE: "We are thankful to the UAE for supporting the evacuation of sick and injured people from Gaza to receive the urgent care they need. We hope this paves the way for establishing evacuation corridors via all possible routes, including Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings to Egypt and Jordan."

He continued: "We also call for evacuations to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to be restored. Thousands of sick people are suffering needlessly. Above all, and as always, WHO calls for a ceasefire."

Aid Delivery Efforts

The UAE has provided over 40,000 tonnes of essential aid so far. This includes food, relief items, and medical supplies delivered through eight aid ships, 337 flights, 50 airdrops, and 1,271 trucks. The fourth UAE relief ship arrived in Al-Arish this week carrying 5,340 tonnes of humanitarian supplies—the largest shipment since relief operations began.

This initiative stands as a testament to the UAE’s enduring support for Palestinians. It is guided by a commitment to providing immediate relief and advancing peace amid immense adversity.

With inputs from WAM