'Humanity's biggest logistics challenge since Second World War': Unicef teams up with Dubai's DP World to distribute Covid-19 vaccines

Dubai's ports and logistics company to provide free vaccine transport and storage for the UN children's body

Senior doctor Markus Keim and medical staff colleagues examine a patient on the Covid-19 intensive care unit of the Klinikum Rechts der Isar hospital in Munich, southern Germany. AFP

An employee packs FFP2 masks at a SWS Medicare factory in Altheim near Landshut, Germany. Reuters

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A police officer talks to a driver while people, many of them Czechs on their daily commute to their workplace in Germany, wait in line for a rapid Covid-19 test near the Czech-Germany border. Getty Images

People wait to receive the coronavirus vaccine at a temporary vaccination centre at the International Fair in Poznan, Poland. Reuters

A Covid-19 testing facility at the Spoor Oost site in Antwerp, Belgium, where city authorities are asking some 6500 of its inhabitants who live in districts with infection rates higher than average to get tested. AFP

A health worker takes a swab sample at a drive-through covid testing site at La Fe Hospital in Valencia, Spain. EPA

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A 'Corazzieri', member of the presidential military corps, stands prior to the arrival of Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at The Presidential Quirinale Palace in Rome. AFP

A senior citizen receives a coronavirus vaccine at the Theatre de Verdure in Nice, France, which has been transformed into a vaccination centre. Reuters

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People walk in the passage Pommeraye in Nantes, France. Reuters

A view shows the deserted Pont de Bir-Hakeim Bridge and the Eiffel Tower during a nationwide curfew, from 6pm to 6am, in Paris, France. Reuters

The National

Unicef has teamed up with DP World to help distribute Covid-19 vaccines.

The UN's children's organisation and Dubai's ports and logistics company will provide vaccine transport and storage to Unicef free of charge, which will help low and middle-income countries to access the vital medicines.

DP Port has an extensive logistics network in Africa and Asia, as well as its flagship Jebel Ali Port.

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Distributing Covid-19 vaccines is humanity's biggest logistics challenge since the end of the Second World War

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem

The new partnership – with a multimillion-dollar value – is the largest to date to support Unicef's lead role as part of Covax.

Covax, which comprises 190 countries and the World Health Organisation, is an initiative to promote equitable access to vaccines and deliver two billion doses to countries most in need by the end of 2021.

"Distributing Covid-19 vaccines is humanity's biggest logistics challenge since the end of the Second World War," said Sultan bin Sulayem, group chairman and chief executive of DP World.

“We offer our infrastructure and expertise to support this effort because everyone should have access to vaccines, especially the most vulnerable in our society.

"Unless the vaccine is available to all, the pandemic will not end for anyone," he said.

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Henrietta Fore, Unicef executive director, said the pandemic had turned children's lives upside down and disrupted their education, health and protection. 
"Vaccines will be a big step towards putting children's lives back on track," she said.

"This new partnership will support our collective efforts to ensure equitable, affordable and sustainable access to Covid-19 vaccines."

DP World and Unicef agreed to address logistical bottlenecks hindering children and their families' access to essential supplies through advocacy and sharing of knowledge.

Countries around the world are grappling with vaccine shortages as cases surge again.

Authorities have imposed lockdowns and introduced travel bans to control the resurgence while vaccines are delivered.

Updated: January 28, 2021, 6:56 AM