Dubai sends humanitarian aid to Sudan and Ethiopia

International Humanitarian City facilitated aid from the IFRC and WHO

Dubai has sent two flights carrying humanitarian aid to Sudan and Ethiopia to help tackle health, refugee and flood crises.

The two Boeing 747 cargo flights, ordered by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, have reached their respective destinations of Khartoum and Addis Ababa.

The first flight from Dubai to Ethiopia was carrying 85 tons of medical aid, including medicines, medical items, and cholera kits supplied by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to help tackle a cholera outbreak and Covid-19 challenges in the country.

A second flight to Sudan was carrying around 100 tons of relief items and shelter items, including blankets, kitchen sets, and tarpaulins provided by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support Tigray refugees and flood victims in the country.

Both flights were facilitated by the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, where the aid was stored.

Both flights were facilitated by the International Humanitarian City in Dubai.

“IHC, and the humanitarian community that we are hosting, went the extra mile due to the increasing demand for humanitarian assistance and IHC will continue to facilitate the dispatch of aid provided by the humanitarian community stored in IHC warehouses in Dubai, to support communities across the world in need,” said Giuseppe Saba, chief executive of IHC.

Robert Blanchard from the WHO logistics team in Dubai, thanked the UAE for the support provided which he said helps to protect vulnerable populations around the world.

“The health supplies on the flight to Addis Ababa alone are enough to care for 140,000 patients in need of trauma care and 15,000 cholera patients,” Mr Blanchard said.

“The generosity of the UAE and our partnership with the International Humanitarian City make it possible for WHO to mount rapid responses to acute health emergencies, ultimately alleviating suffering and saving the lives of those in need.”

Ilir Caushaj, head of IFRC’s global logistics Hub in Dubai, said they are working hard to extend its life-saving aid to people in need.

“These items will go a long way in ensuring that hundreds of Sudanese families affected by flooding and Ethiopian refugees now living in Sudan have access to blankets, kitchen sets and tarpaulins,” he said.

“Flooding, soaring inflation, access to clean water and Covid-19 are some of the challenges that the people of Sudan are experiencing today and IFRC is working alongside the Sudanese Red Crescent Society to provide them with assistance. The aid flight is expected to aid 21,500 beneficiaries, with a total cost of CHF 259,000 (Dh1 million).”

Updated: September 14, 2021, 2:24 PM