An aid flight has transported 50.7 metric tons of cholera kits from the World Health Organization’s logistics hub in Dubai to Bangladesh.
This came following an order of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to dispatch an aid flight for cholera-hit Bangladesh.
The International Humanitarian City (IHC) in Dubai chartered an Emirates Sky Cargo aircraft to deliver the kits.
Giuseppe Saba, IHC CEO said the urgent aid flight to Bangladesh amidst the COVID-19 pandemic situation around the world reflects the generosity of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and confirms Dubai’s commitment to taking international humanitarian action to help communities most in need.
“We are very proud of the extraordinary efforts of the humanitarian community based in Dubai to assist those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and other emergencies,” he added.
Robert Blanchard from the WHO Logistics team in Dubai said the cholera supplies WHO is sending to Bangladesh, which is valued at US$131,000, will reach 20,000 patients.
“Responding to health emergencies within a health emergency, the Government of the UAE, IHC, and Emirates SkyCargo have once again answered the call to support the World Health Organisation’s global medical supply operations,” Blanchard said noting that children under five have the highest incidence of cholera which represents nearly half of the mortality.
