WHO Signs Host Country Agreement for Global Health Emergencies Logistics Hub with the UAE and Welcomes Health Response Operations Funding Support for Sudanese Refugees in Chad

The United Arab Emirates signed a host country agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO). This signing signifies a milestone in relations between the UAE and WHO, further solidifying their strategic long-term partnership. The continued support from the UAE will reinforce WHO logistics operations and interventions globally. Additionally, WHO signed a funding agreement with the UAE for USD 3 million in support of Sudanese refugees in Chad.

The agreements were signed by Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Dr Michael Ryan, Deputy Director General and Executive Director of Health Emergencies Programme of the WHO, in Abu Dhabi.

WHO has been present in the UAE since 2015 via the establishment of WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office Hub in Dubai which has been critical in responding to emergencies and health operations throughout the EMRO region. WHO’s operations from the hub have expanded 10-fold during recent years, becoming the WHO Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics, signifying the durable logistical infrastructure in place, the strategic location of the UAE, and the unfortunate increase in demand to provide response to health emergencies worldwide. In recent years the value of WHO health supplies transiting the hub has increased 400% in response to health emergencies around the world. 

Additionally, the UAE’s contribution of USD 3 million in support of WHO’s operation in Chad aims to improve the health and well-being of Sudanese refugees, especially for women and children. This contribution will enable WHO to continue to enhance access to quality maternal and child health services including vaccination, nutrition and strengthening local health system resilience in the affected provinces.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, stated: “The UAE in cooperation with the World Health Organization will continue to address global health challenges and serve vulnerable communities around the world. 

“This agreement reflects the UAE’s ongoing commitment to addressing global humanitarian needs, ensuring continued delivery of life-saving assistance in conflict zones and regions impacted by crises, in partnership with others,” Her Excellency said. 

"The UAE is a valuable and strategic partner to WHO and has played an instrumental role in serving vulnerable communities around the world. The signing of the host agreement for the WHO Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics is a significant milestone highlighting our joint commitment to address global health challenges" said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “The WHO Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics in Dubai is the backbone of WHO’s logistics support to the emergency responses. We are also grateful for the continued support to WHO’s humanitarian response operations in support of Sudanese refugees in Chad.”