Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed orders humanitarian relief flights for civilians fleeing Ukraine

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, ordered two emergency humanitarian relief flights to support civilians fleeing the crisis in Ukraine.

The two flights transporting essential relief aid departed from Dubai and Sharjah airports, state news agency WAM reported on Thursday.

Emirates Airlines provided its Boeing 777-ER Cargo plane for the first shipment that departed from Dubai for Warsaw in Poland. This aid is expected to support around 50,000 beneficiaries and was transported as part of the collective efforts of United Nations organisations such as the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD), International Medical Corps (IMC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Fittest, World Health Organization (WHO) and other aid organisations.

The second flight operated by Aramex Airline B747F Cargo departed from Sharjah airport for Liege in Belgium carrying an aid consignment from the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. The aid material is expected to benefit around 35,000 people.
The transportation of the relief material was facilitated by International Humanitarian City in Dubai (IHC).

. @HHShkMohd orders the airlift of emergency humanitarian aid to support civilians affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Two flights transporting essential relief supplies leave the UAE as part of the collective efforts of United Nations organisations and other aid organisations. pic.twitter.com/0OXgRblCn1

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 17, 2022

“UNHCR is proud of its strategic partnership with IHC in Dubai, and we appreciate this important contribution which represents the generosity of the Government of the UAE and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This contribution will support UNHCR’s emergency response in Ukraine and neighbouring countries,” said Nadia Jbour, head of UNHCR Office in the UAE.

As part of its ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian aid amidst the crisis, on March 7, the UAE sent an aircraft carrying 30 metric tonnes of emergency health aid and medical supplies, as part of its emergency relief efforts to assist civilians in Ukraine. The aircraft landed in Lublin, Poland, and the aid was handed over to the Ukrainian authorities in Poland to be further transported to Ukraine.

Read: Ukraine: UAE sends 30 tonnes of emergency medical and relief aid

Also, earlier this month, the UAE announced $5m in humanitarian assistance to benefit civilians impacted by the situation in Ukraine. The contribution was committed to the United Nations’ Humanitarian Flash Appeal and the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Ukraine.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, met with Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, in Moscow.

Abdullah bin Zayed underscored the urgent need to reach a peaceful settlement between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the UAE’s readiness to support all efforts aimed at finding a solution to the crisis, including a ceasefire, according to UAE news agency WAM. Furthermore, he noted that the UAE is committed to constructive diplomacy aimed at de-escalation.

Sheikh Abdullah also reportedly expressed the UAE’s deep concern over the humanitarian impact of the conflict on civilians. He addressed possible mechanisms to alleviate civilian suffering and underscored the importance of ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid and relief in line with international humanitarian law.