UAE Strengthens Partnership with WHO for Global Health Emergencies Hub and Sudan Refugee Aid

Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has signed a new Host Country Agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a significant step in their ongoing partnership for global health support. This agreement aims to enhance WHO’s logistics capabilities worldwide, enabling rapid response to health emergencies.

In addition, the UAE has committed $3 million in funding to support WHO’s humanitarian aid for Sudanese refugees in Chad, focusing on essential health services for displaced families, especially women and children. The agreements were signed in Abu Dhabi by UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Al Hashimy, and Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO’s Deputy Director General and Health Emergencies Programme leader.

Expanding WHO’s Emergency Logistics Hub in Dubai

Since its establishment in Dubai in 2015, the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) has served as a critical logistics center for emergency health operations across the Middle East and beyond. In recent years, the UAE’s strategic support has allowed the hub to expand its capacity by ten times, handling a 400% increase in WHO health supplies distributed globally in response to health crises. The new agreement strengthens Dubai’s role as a Global Health Emergencies Logistics Hub, providing essential health resources and support to affected regions worldwide.

UAE’s $3 Million Aid for Sudanese Refugees in Chad

The UAE’s $3 million funding package will allow WHO to improve health services for Sudanese refugees who have fled to Chad, especially focusing on maternal and child health. This support will help enhance access to vaccinations, nutrition, and resilience of local health systems in areas heavily affected by the refugee influx.

Statements from UAE and WHO Leaders

Reem Al Hashimy expressed the UAE’s dedication to global health, saying, “The UAE, in cooperation with WHO, will continue to tackle global health challenges and aid vulnerable communities everywhere. This agreement reflects our commitment to addressing humanitarian needs worldwide.”

WHO’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted the UAE’s invaluable support, noting that the WHO Hub in Dubai is crucial to WHO’s logistics operations for emergency responses. He added, “The UAE has been a vital partner to WHO, showing strong dedication to supporting vulnerable populations globally.”

The UAE’s partnership with WHO demonstrates a shared commitment to improving global health resilience, especially in times of crisis. This collaboration continues to ensure that health assistance reaches regions in need swiftly and effectively.