Mohammed bin Rashid Orders Additional Dispatch of Critical Humanitarian Supplies to Gaza

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has instructed the facilitation of urgent relief supplies to Gaza through an essential relief airbridge coordinated by the International Humanitarian City (IHC) in Dubai.

Giuseppe Saba, CEO of IHC, emphasized the proactive stance in supporting the international humanitarian community to alleviate suffering in Gaza. The mission aligns with Dubai’s commitment to humanitarian duties, focusing on saving lives and meeting urgent medical needs in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The first flight, carrying approximately 11 metric tonnes of medicines and medical supplies from WHO stocks, departed for El Arish Airport in Egypt early Wednesday. These supplies are vital for addressing the health crisis in Gaza, including non-communicable disease kits and essential medicines. Strict temperature controls are enforced to ensure the integrity of the supplies during transportation.

Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasized the critical role of WHO’s logistics hub, hosted in IHC, in providing essential supplies to regions affected by health emergencies. The ongoing health crisis in Gaza underscores the urgent need for medical aid, particularly amid escalating hostilities.

The swift response from IHC last year established an airbridge to expedite relief supplies to Gaza during times of crisis. Leveraging its extensive network and resources, IHC facilitated six air shipments within ten days, reinforcing its position as a leading humanitarian hub in the region.

The Gaza-bound airlift marks the first of several missions planned for this year, with three to four additional flights scheduled to deliver much-needed aid. WHO, along with its partners and the support of Dubai’s International Humanitarian City and the UAE government, remains committed to delivering life-saving supplies to vulnerable populations in Gaza and beyond.