A Covid-19 vaccine distribution hub in Abu Dhabi has partnered with four international logistics companies to boost its global reach.
Abu Dhabi Hope Consortium, established last month, aims to deliver billions of vaccine doses around the world by the end of the year.
On Thursday, the consortium signed agreements with Agility Logistics, Aramex, Hellman Worldwide Logistics and Kuehne+Nagel. The partnership will benefit from the companies' global access, raising potential distribution coverage to 80 per cent of the world, according to Abu Dhabi Government Media Office.
The four companies operate in more than 170 countries and, under the agreements, will help the consortium deliver billions of vaccines over the next two years.
More than five million doses have already been distributed since the consortium's launch.
The distribution of vaccines worldwide is challenging because most of the vaccines under development require very cold storage.
But the hub will ensure vaccines are stored at the correct temperature, sourced and distributed depending on demand, and correctly tracked.
The Hope Consortium is run by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Etihad Cargo, Abu Dhabi Ports Company, Rafed, part of ADQ, and SkyCell.
“Developing a vaccine is only the first step in getting to a solution," said Sheikh Abdullah Al Hamed, chairman of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi.
"Getting that vaccine to the whole globe, while maintaining a robust integrity of temperature is an equal challenge by itself. The Hope Consortium will provide that solution on the highest level of quality."