WHO commends UAE's efforts to evacuate sick, injured from Gaza

The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised the UAE for its contributions to humanitarian efforts in Gaza, following a major medical evacuation facilitated by the country.

During a press briefing in Geneva, Dr. Richard Peeperkorn, WHO's representative in Palestinian, highlighted the recent evacuation, which saw 97 individuals, including 49 women and 48 men, transported from Gaza to Abu Dhabi for advanced medical care. The operation was the largest of its kind since October 2023 and involved a departure from Ramon Airport in Israel, coordinated through the Karam Abu Salam crossing.

Dr. Peeperkorn explained that the medical evacuation was highly complex and conducted within a very narrow time window. The evacuated group comprised patients with severe injuries, with half of them injured in the war in Gaza and the other half suffering from chronic diseases. He added that 155 people accompanied the patients.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also expressed gratitude to the UAE for its ongoing support, stating that the evacuation demonstrated the potential for more life-saving operations. "We continue to hope that this and other initiatives will show what is possible and make more evacuations happen for more people,” he said.

The UAE has been a key player in relief efforts throughout the crisis, having previously evacuated 1,665 patients and their companions. In addition, the nation has supplied over 40,000 tonnes of aid to Gaza, including medical supplies, food, and other essentials, delivered through ships, trucks, aircraft, and airdrops under the Birds of Goodness initiative.

This latest effort brings the total number of evacuees supported by the UAE to nearly 2,000, underscoring the country's role in providing vital assistance to the Palestinian people.