UAE aid efforts: 5,000 tons of supplies sent to Gaza

The United Arab Emirates has dispatched over 5,000 tons of aid to Gaza, aiming to reach the nearest accessible shore in the besieged territory. The shipment has been prominently featured in the UAE media, highlighting the country's support for Gaza since the war erupted on October 7, 2023.

The UAE's aid efforts include delivering humanitarian assistance by sea, land, and air, as well as providing medical care for wounded Palestinians and their families in UAE hospitals. Launched by President Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the initiative titled "Chivalrous Knight 3" underscores the country’s commitment to aiding Gaza's civilians amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Here’s a closer look at the ongoing assistance provided by the UAE so far:

1. Two field hospitals

An Emirati field hospital began functioning in Rafah in December 2023, focusing on treating injured individuals, particularly children, women, and those with chronic illnesses. noting that coordination is underway with medical sector officials in Gaza to support and provide medical care to those in need.

The hospital has treated 20,686 cases and conducted 1,752 surgical operations as of May, according to WAM. Additionally, the hospital staff has actively donated blood to injured Palestinian patients, highlighting their dedication towards supporting patient care.

Moreover, a floating hospital was established in front of the shores of the Egyptian city of Al-Arish.

2. Rebuilding Gaza's hospitals

In addition to the establishment of field hospitals, the UAE will start restoring the Nasser Medical Complex in the city of Khan Yunis to ensure ongoing treatment for casualties of Israeli attacks.

3. Truck aids

According to the latest update by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in May, 31,000 tonnes of urgent supplies, including food and medicine, have been provided to Gaza via 256 flights, 46 airdrops and 1,231 trucks.

4. Food and water supplies

As part of its efforts to find sustainable solutions to alleviate suffering in Gaza, the UAE established five automated bakeries and secured flour supplies for operational bakeries.

Additionally, in response to severe water shortages exacerbated by infrastructure damage from ongoing bombardments, the UAE set up six desalination plants, producing 1.2 million gallons of water per day. These plants supply clean water to the Gaza Strip, benefiting over 600,000 people.

Emirates Red Cresent's volunteer in GazaWAM

5. Thousands of children evacuated

In November 2023, the UAE launched an initiative to treat 1,000 palestinian children in UAE hospitals. As a result, hundreds of children were evacuated along with their families from Gaza and moved to the UAE to get treated.

Maha Barakat, an assistant minister in the UAE foreign ministry and a trained medical doctor, said that Palestinians who were able to leave Gaza were malnourished. "They are becoming thinner and thinner," Barakat told Reuters aboard a UAE government chartered flight to al-Arish, and that the lack of nutrition meant wounds were unable to heal. "It is becoming more than just injuries of war," she said.

Families from Gaza were evacuated to get medical treatment in UAEWAM

6. Reaching abandoned areas

The UAE initiated an operation called “The birds of goddess” to airdrop humanitarian aid in parts of Gaza that are inaccessible by road. To date, this initiative has provided a total of 3,382 tons of relief and humanitarian aid.