By Joyce Ojanji
To help address the current Sudan conflict resulting in health crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have delivered 30 tons of urgent medical supplies to the country.
This include supplies for injury treatment, emergency surgeries, and essential drugs to o immediately reach 165 000 people who are in desperate need of humanitarian aid.
The shipment, valued at US$ 444 000, is the first that WHO has been able to deliver by air to Sudan since the outbreak of the conflict.
The dispatch of the aircraft comes as part of the UAE’s continuous relief efforts in support of the Sudanese people and reflects its deep relations with Sudan, particularly in light of the current situation the country is facing.
‘’UAE continues to work closely alongside the WHO to ensure successful deployment of critical logistics operations to send urgent medical and food aid to help address the crisis in Sudan,’ said Dr Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, while receiving the medical supplies.
He added that the UAE is particularly focused on providing for the most vulnerable groups affected by the situation in Sudan, especially the sick, children, the elderly, and women who are most at risk from the ongoing concerning conflict and these relief flights will directly address the most pressing gaps in medical and food provision.
Moreover, Dr Michael Ryan, Executive Director, of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme noted that the WHO Global Logistics Hub in the UAE has become a centerpiece of rapid supply response to acute events globally.
Supporting over 140 countries across all six WHO geographic regions, the hub provides a lifeline to Member States experiencing health emergencies arising from outbreaks of diseases, disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and the impact of conflict on health systems.
‘’ The support provided by the UAE enables WHO to be at the forefront of these health emergency responses – delivering specialist medical aid to those in need wherever and whenever it is needed,’’ he said.
