WHO And UAE Strengthen Partnership With Host Country Agreement For Global Health Emergencies Logistics Hub

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has formalised a host country agreement with the World Health Organisation (WHO), marking a significant step in their ongoing collaboration. This partnership aims to enhance WHO's global logistics operations and interventions. Additionally, the UAE has committed US$3 million to support Sudanese refugees in Chad. The agreements were signed by Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO's Deputy Director General, in Abu Dhabi.

Since 2015, WHO has operated from its Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office Hub in Dubai. This hub has been crucial for emergency responses and health operations across the region. Over recent years, its role has expanded significantly, becoming the WHO Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics. This expansion highlights both the UAE's strategic location and the growing need for health emergency responses worldwide.

Reem Al Hashimy emphasised the UAE's dedication to tackling global health issues alongside WHO. She stated: "The UAE in cooperation with the World Health Organisation will continue to address global health challenges and serve vulnerable communities around the world." This agreement underscores the UAE’s commitment to humanitarian efforts, ensuring life-saving aid reaches conflict zones and crisis-affected regions.

The UAE's financial contribution aims to improve health services for Sudanese refugees in Chad, focusing on women and children. This funding will help WHO enhance access to maternal and child health services, including vaccination and nutrition programmes. It also aims to strengthen local health systems' resilience in affected areas.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, praised the UAE as a key partner: "The UAE is a valuable and strategic partner to WHO and has played an instrumental role in serving vulnerable communities around the world." He highlighted that the host agreement for the logistics hub is a crucial milestone reflecting their shared commitment to addressing global health challenges.

Expanding Global Health Logistics

The Dubai hub serves as a central point for WHO’s logistics support during emergencies. Its operations have grown tenfold recently due to increased demand for emergency responses globally. The value of health supplies passing through this hub has surged by 400%, demonstrating its critical role in addressing worldwide health emergencies.

Dr. Tedros expressed gratitude for the UAE's ongoing support: "The WHO Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics in Dubai is the backbone of WHO’s logistics support to the emergency responses. We are also grateful for the continued support to WHO’s humanitarian response operations in support of Sudanese refugees in Chad."

This strengthened partnership between the UAE and WHO signifies a robust commitment to tackling global health challenges effectively while supporting vulnerable populations worldwide.

With inputs from WAM