The United Arab Emirates is one of the first countries to reach out and extend a hand of help to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, where it has started early planning of many humanitarian initiatives to help curb the spread of the virus. While the UAE continues its constant work of supporting the global efforts aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 disease, it has provided more than 708 tons of medical aid, personal protection kits and supplies to 62 countries worldwide to date, with direct beneficiaries exceeding 708,000 health workers. In addition, 65 million indirect beneficiaries profited from the UAE’s global efforts in combatting the spread of the virus.
A number of 62 countries benefited from UAE aid to 65 million indirect beneficiaries. 80% of the provided international response to the affected countries is from the UAE. Ninety-eight countries received aid from the international organizations’ warehouses in Dubai’s International Humanitarian City (IHC). A total of 708 tons of medical supplies, including 835 thousand polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing kits and 170 ventilators with 708 thousand direct beneficiaries of health workers. Two WFP field hospitals transported by the UAE from Norway and Belgium to Ghana and Ethiopia. With USD 10 million in-kind aid to the WHO.
Efforts of the Dubai’s International Humanitarian City (IHC):
The UAE is regarded as the main lifeline for the logistic operations of the international organizations’ strategic warehouses in Dubai’s IHC where the UAE is the first responder to the global crises, especially the provided assistance in relation to the current (COVID-19) pandemic. In fact, more than 80% of the international response was provided as assistance sent from Dubai’s IHC to the affected countries worldwide. In addition, Dubai’s IHC dispatched more than 132 shipments to 98 countries around the world so far since the beginning of this year, and working as a central hub to distribute the personal protections kits.
Efforts in Collaboration with the International Organizations:
Through the World Health Organization (WHO), a USD 10 million agreement to provide COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing kits as well as transporting WHO’s medical supplies to Iran, Ethiopia and Somalia.
In collaboration with the World Food Program (WFP), transporting 2 field hospitals from Norway and Belgium to Ghana and Ethiopia, at a cost of USD 3.5 million, transporting a field hospital from Oslo – Norway to Addis Ababa - Ethiopia, over 3 flights to move the hospital, transporting a field hospital from Oslo – Norway to Accra - Ghana, over 3 flights to move the hospital and transporting additional parts from Liege -Belgium to Accra – Ghana.
