On Wednesday, the UAE successfully evacuated 97 critically injured individuals and patients from the Gaza Strip, including those suffering from cancer requiring extensive treatment. The evacuees, along with 155 family members and 142 children, were transported from Ramon Airport in Israel to Abu Dhabi via the Karam Abu Salam crossing, where they will receive essential medical care. This urgent humanitarian initiative was conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organisation.
Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, stated: "The evacuation flight, which is the second flight to depart from Ramon airport, underscores the UAE's commitment to providing advanced medical care to injured Palestinians." Al Hashimy further added, "The new initiative to evacuate injured and sick Palestinians reflects the UAE's steadfast dedication to supporting the Palestinians during the catastrophic conditions in the Strip. We will continue to work closely with our international partners and the United Nations to lead and intensify efforts aimed at alleviating this humanitarian crisis."
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, expressed: "We once again extend our gratitude to the UAE for its support in this evacuation of the sick and wounded from the Gaza Strip to receive the urgent care they need. We continue to hope that this and other initiatives will demonstrate what is possible and facilitate more evacuations for more people. And once again, the World Health Organisation calls for a ceasefire."
Since the onset of the crisis, the UAE has undertaken extensive efforts to enhance the humanitarian response provided to wounded and sick Palestinians, and to support them during the ongoing critical conditions. In this context, the UAE has previously evacuated 1,655 patients accompanied by their family members. With today's flight, the number of evacuees has now reached more than 1,917 patients and family members. Additionally, the UAE has provided over 40,000 tonnes of urgent aid, including food, medical, and relief supplies, through 10 ships, 1,300 trucks, 316 flights, and 104 airdrops as part of the "Bird of Goodness" campaign, bringing the total amount of humanitarian aid sent to Northern Gaza via airdrops to more than 3,450 tonnes.
