WHO Dubai logistics hub delivers lifeline to 20 million people in 2023

The WHO’s Global Logistics Center

The WHO’s Global Logistics Center is situated in Dubai’s International Humanitarian City and is at the forefront of emergency response in times of humanitarian disasters. In 2023 alone, the center facilitated 16 charter flights, delivering a staggering 1,000 metric tons of aid.

Why is humanitarian assistance needed?

This year marks an unprecedented demand for humanitarian assistance, with over 363 million people worldwide requiring aid, primarily due to disease outbreaks and limited access to essential medicines. Conflicts, fragile healthcare systems, natural disasters, climate change, and infectious disease outbreaks have pushed more individuals into the crosshairs of health threats. Humanitarian aid is essential for saving lives and alleviating suffering in times of crisis. It provides people with the basic necessities they need to survive, such as food, water, shelter, and medical care. Humanitarian aid also helps to protect people from violence and persecution, and to rebuild their lives after a crisis.

How is the WHO’s Global Logistics Center helping?

In response to these intersecting emergencies, the WHO’s Global Logistics Center stands at the forefront of humanitarian response, delivering critical health supplies to vulnerable populations. In-kind operational support, including $4.2 million for emergency air charters, has enabled WHO’s health emergency program to bolster its supply chain, ensuring faster delivery to those in need.

The center’s impact has been significant. In 2021, it provided a comprehensive range of medical items vital for saving lives to 141 countries across all WHO regions. From diagnostic tests to trauma supplies, essential medicines to ambulances, it has become a critical resource for emergency response.

Notable examples of the WHO’s Global Logistics Center’s work

In February 2023, the WHO Global Logistics Center delivered 230 metric tons of aid valued at $1.9 million to assist 1.5 million people affected by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The center has also coordinated four consecutive charter flights to Sudan, delivering $2.8 million in vital health supplies. Yemen, facing prolonged conflict and healthcare challenges, remains a top priority, with over $8 million in health supplies delivered in 2023.

Conclusion:

By mid-2023, operations at the logistics hub surpassed the total emergency requests received in all of 2020, averaging more than two charter flights per month in support of acute health emergencies. With over $20 million in health supplies delivered to over 70 countries, the center is on track to make a significant impact on humanitarian assistance in 2023.

The WHO’s Global Logistics Center in Dubai is a lifeline for millions across the world. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of investing in humanitarian aid.