Dubai: Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Humanitarian has dispatched a sea shipment of critical aid supplies to Myanmar in response to the devastating earthquake that struck the country in late March.
According to Emirates News Agency, the shipment, organised in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), departed from Jebel Ali Port and is currently en route to Yangon. It includes over 167 metric tonnes of essential relief items such as tarpaulins, kitchen sets, solar lamps, and buckets, aimed at supporting nearly 80,000 individuals impacted by the disaster.
Giuseppe Saba, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Humanitarian, stated that each shipment not only provides supplies but also conveys a message of solidarity. He emphasized the importance of consistent support during crises, noting that this shipment is the first of two planned by sea, following two humanitarian airlifts last month. Saba reiterated the commitment to delivering hope, protection, and practical support through coordinated efforts by sea and air.
The Global Humanitarian Impact Fund (GHIF) fully covered the transportation costs of the shipment, allowing international relief partners to extend their operations in response to the evolving humanitarian needs on the ground.
Dr. Khaled Khalifa, Senior Advisor and UNHCR's Representative to the GCC countries, praised the UAE's leading humanitarian role in enabling and facilitating aid organisations' operations in emergency response efforts both regionally and globally. He stressed the importance of the international humanitarian stockpiles hosted in Dubai, which continue to serve as a crucial lifeline for affected communities.
Dr. Khalifa noted that more than a month after the earthquakes, communities in Myanmar are still facing harsh conditions, including inadequate shelter, overcrowded displacement sites, damaged water supply systems, and limited sanitation services. He expressed gratitude for the logistical support provided by Dubai Humanitarian, which allows UNHCR to continue sending essential relief items to the most vulnerable survivors in the hardest-hit areas.