International Humanitarian City

International Humanitarian City (IHC) is a Dubai, United Arab Emirates, based global hub for humanitarian emergency preparedness and response, which positions itself as the world's largest aid hub.[1][2] Founded in 2003 by the Ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,[3] it is a major logistics centre for the international distribution of humanitarian aid and relief, with over 130,000 square metres of warehousing and logistical support facilities.[2]

Global aid

IHC hosts nine United Nations agencies and more than 85 NGOs and commercial entities engaged in delivering aid both in humanitarian crises and to support long-term economic development. It is home to UNHCR's global stockpile of humanitarian aid.[4]

IHC is one of three organisations, together with Emirates and DP World, behind the Vaccine Logistics Alliance, which supports the World Health Organisation's (WHO) COVAX initiative and its efforts to distribute two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021.[5][6] As of July 2021, 150 million doses had been distributed to 80 global destinations from IHC via Emirates.[7]

Logistics hub

IHC members have procured and shipped aid from the IHC hub to cope with the ongoing civil conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan, flood recovery and educational projects in Pakistan, and recurring drought in East Africa as well as COVID-19 related assistance to Africa.[8] A key shipment of aid was made from the UN hub at IHC to Lebanon, when 20 tonnes of aid was sent in a flight donated by the United Arab Emirates for relief following the 2020 Beirut port blast,[9] one of three shipments supported by the WHO and International Red Cross.[10] In 2014, a total of 21 airlifts took place from IHC to assist the Palestinian population of Gaza, funded by Mohammed bin Rashid and supported by UNRWA.[11]

International Humanitarian City operates under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI).

References
  1. "Secretary-General, in Video Message, Says Launch of Dubai's International Humanitarian City Strategy Comes at Critical Time for Region, World | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". www.un.org. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  2. "Humanitarian hub plays key role in COVID-19 response". euronews. 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  3. "IHC Website".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "UN High Commissioner for Refugees visits Sudan as new refugee arrivals cross 43,000". UNHCR. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  5. "Dubai forms logistics alliance to help developing countries access vaccines". Logistics Middle East.
  6. "Dubai alliance to distribute two billion coronavirus vaccine doses globally". Arabian Business.
  7. "WOW: Emirates Has Now Flown 150 Million COVID-19 Vaccines". Simple Flying. 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  8. "First UN solidarity flight departs Addis Ababa carrying vital COVID-19 medical supplies to all African nations". www.who.int. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  9. "Lebanon: WHO equipment supplies to support COVID-19 response during explosion fallout". www.who.int. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  10. Staff Reporter. "Dubai's International Humanitarian City airlifts third aid consignment to Beirut". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  11. "Additional vital assistance from the ruler of Dubai coordinated by the International Humanitarian City to conflict-affected Palestinians in Gaza". UNRWA. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
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