Upon the approval of the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, International Humanitarian City (IHC) chartered two additional aircrafts, activating a humanitarian airbridge bringing aid to tens of thousands of refugees and displaced individuals fleeing Ethiopia to Sudan.

An Emirates Sky Cargo aircraft, transporting aid provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and stored within IHC warehouses in Dubai reached Ethiopia yesterday (Wednesday) carrying 96 metric tons of medical supplies to aid an estimated 200,000 patients.

Another Emirates Sky Cargo aircraft left Dubai this morning (Thursday) to Sudan, transporting 95 metric tons of relief and shelter aid provided by the IHC Community, including United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), World Food Programmes (WFP -UNHRD and Fittest) and Doctors Without Borders (MSF). These organizations are sending relief and shelter items stored within IHC warehouses in Dubai and are destined to assist the escalating humanitarian situation impacting the lives of about 40,000 Ethiopian refugees who are streaming into eastern Sudan.

During the past months of September and October 2020, IHC chartered several aircrafts carrying aid provided by the humanitarian community and stored at IHC warehouses in Dubai to support the Sudanese population affected by devastating floods.

H.E Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Supervision of the IHC, said: “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s approval of a humanitarian airlift reflects His Highness’ ongoing effort and commitment to support and serve communities and individuals in need globally. The IHC operating as a proactive global humanitarian and logistics hub and working closely with the UN and international humanitarian organizations stems directly from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision and devotion to the betterment of society.’’

Robert Blanchard from the WHO’s logistics team in Dubai said: “In response to ongoing health needs in Ethiopia, the World Health Organization is immediately deploying 96 metric tons of medical supplies including life-saving malaria medicines, emergency health kits, cholera kits, and trauma and emergency surgery kits from its logistics hub located within the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, UAE. The medical supplies, valued at over USD 300,000, will cover an estimated 200,000 patients and are expected to reach Ethiopia on 02 December.”

He added: “Responding to health emergencies within a health emergency, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Government of the UAE, IHC, and Emirates Sky Cargo have once again answered the call to support the World Health Organization’s global medical supply operations. The rapid deployment of these life-saving medicines and medical supplies is vital to WHO’s ongoing health emergency response efforts, particularly as we simultaneously respond to the tremendous demands associated with a global pandemic.”

Mario Stephan, the Executive Director of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) UAE office, said: “The Airbridge allows our organization to get 17 cubic meters of crucially needed Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) on the ground in Sudan”.