Emirates sends aid to thousands of refugees fleeing armed conflict in Ethiopia

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is continuing its important campaign of international cooperation. After numerous supply operations to combat the COVID-19 pandemic organised to assist dozens of countries around the world, it is now carrying out an initiative to help the Ethiopian population.

Dubai has opened an emergency airlift to help tens of thousands of refugees fleeing the fighting in Ethiopia. Meanwhile, an open war is taking place between Abiy Ahmed's government and the rebel region of Tigray, which has already left hundreds of people dead. 

Two planes full of medical equipment and humanitarian supplies left the emirate during the last two days. A plane carrying 96 tonnes of medical equipment for 200,000 patients provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) landed in Ethiopia from the International Humanitarian City in Dubai on Wednesday. A second plane left Dubai on Thursday for neighbouring Sudan with 95 tonnes of relief aid and shelter on board. The aid was provided by organisations such as the United Nations Children's Fund, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the World Food Programme and Médecins Sans Frontières.

The aid strategy was ordered by Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the Emirates and ruler of Dubai, and aims to alleviate the humanitarian situation affecting the lives of some 40,000 Ethiopian refugees, who are arriving in eastern Sudan. "The medical supplies, valued at over $300,000, will cover approximately 200,000 patients," said Robert Blanchard of the WHO logistics team in Dubai. "The rapid deployment of these life-saving drugs and medical supplies is vital to WHO's ongoing health emergency response, particularly as we simultaneously respond to the tremendous demands associated with the global pandemic.