Dubai: Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Humanitarian (DXBH) has facilitated the delivery of critical humanitarian relief supplies to Gaza through a new air bridge launched in support of the World Health Organization (WHO).The first flight departed earlier this week from the Dubai Air Wing carrying 11 metric tonnes of essential medicines aboard a C-130 aircraft bound for Al Arish International Airport in Egypt, from where the supplies will be transported into Gaza.Three additional flights have since followed, carrying further consignments of medicines, tents and fortified biscuits to support humanitarian and nutritional needs on the ground.The four flights form part of a wider operation through which Dubai Humanitarian will facilitate the dispatch of approximately 150 metric tonnes of WHO medical and health supplies to Gaza over the coming weeks, with additional flights planned as part of a continuous logistics pipeline.All supplies are being drawn from stocks pre-positioned at the WHO Global Logistics Centre, hosted by Dubai Humanitarian, highlighting the organisation's role in enabling rapid and large-scale humanitarian operations.His Excellency Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Chairman of Dubai Humanitarian, said: "This latest air bridge builds on Dubai Humanitarian's longstanding efforts to aid humanitarian operations in Gaza, guided by the directives of the UAE and Dubai's leadership to stand by the people of Gaza."He noted that despite regional challenges, Dubai Humanitarian has continued to facilitate air bridges and relief shipments this year to countries including Afghanistan, Mozambique, Lebanon and Uganda, supporting the work of international humanitarian organisations.Al Shaibani added: "Earlier this year, we also facilitated the overland delivery of essential medical supplies to Gaza on behalf of WHO through a three-truck convoy, reflecting our flexible, multimodal approach to humanitarian logistics."Robert Blanchard, Head of Emergency Operations at the WHO Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics, said: "Through its Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics, the World Health Organization is rapidly delivering more than $1.3 million worth of medicines and medical supplies to treat approximately 400,000 people in Gaza. Delivered through a series of charter flights, the shipments include medical supplies for several partners."He added: "Made possible through the generosity and operational assistance of Dubai Humanitarian and the Government of Dubai, these emergency charter flights enable WHO to deliver more medicines, reach more patients and reduce costs."Blanchard said Dubai Humanitarian's support comes at a critical time as humanitarian organisations face growing needs and declining financial resources."Since the start of the conflict, its charter flights have saved Gaza's health emergency operations more than $4 million in logistics costs. Flights such as those arriving this week enable WHO to direct its limited resources towards expanding access to life-saving medicines and medical supplies for patients requiring urgent humanitarian assistance in Gaza and around the world."
