Dubai: Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Humanitarian has facilitated a second relief airlift, in collaboration with the European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), to bolster emergency response efforts addressing the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The aid was transported via Uganda.
According to Emirates News Agency, a fully loaded Boeing 747 aircraft from Dubai Royal Air Wing delivered approximately 60 metric tonnes of essential humanitarian and medical aid from the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (WFP-UNHRD), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and UNICEF.
Giuseppe Saba, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Humanitarian, emphasized the UAE's unwavering commitment to global humanitarian efforts, stating, "This is the second airlift we facilitate within a week in response to the Ebola outbreak, which reflects the UAE's steadfast commitment to supporting humanitarian action and standing by those in need wherever they may be." Saba highlighted the collaborative approach, bringing together various members and partners of the Dubai Humanitarian community to enhance the logistics, expertise, and resources for a more efficient response to the crisis.
The operation marks the strengthening strategic collaboration between Dubai Humanitarian and the European Union, following an Administrative Arrangement signed last year. This partnership aims to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of global humanitarian operations. Despite the challenges, Saba asserted that maintaining humanitarian operations is more of a responsibility than an option.
Maciej Popowski, the Director-General for the European Union's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, expressed appreciation for Dubai Humanitarian's rapid action, stating, "International cooperation is essential to responding to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and across the region. I welcome Dubai Humanitarian's swift mobilisation to deliver relief supplies to eastern DRC at this critical moment. The EU stands in solidarity with all affected communities and remains firmly committed to supporting efforts to contain the virus and save lives."