UAE Launches Ahmed bin Rashid Humanitarian Bridge to Deliver 10 Million Meals to Gaza

The UAE has officially commenced the airlift of food aid to Gaza through the newly established Ahmed bin Rashid Humanitarian Bridge initiative, which aims to supply over 10 million meals to Palestinians. Organized by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives alongside Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, the initial flights departed from Al Maktoum International Airport loaded with essential food parcels.

This major humanitarian drive was initiated to honor the generosity and philanthropic legacy of the late Sheikh Ahmed, brother of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who passed away on September 21. Community members, volunteers, and admirers gathered at the Dubai World Trade Centre to pack food aid boxes destined for families and children in Gaza.

The comprehensive humanitarian bridge will deploy both air and sea routes across seven consignments. This includes six flights carrying 450 tonnes of food parcels and a vessel transporting 4,000 tonnes of vital supplies designed to address the basic nutritional requirements of the population in Gaza.

Hammoud Al Afari, director of UAE relief operations under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, emphasized that the new bridge significantly enhances the nation's ongoing relief efforts. He noted that Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, initiated in November 2023 under directives from President Sheikh Mohamed, has served as a crucial lifeline throughout the conflict, offering an integrated response model combining emergency aid, healthcare, logistical support, and rehabilitation.

Since the onset of the conflict, the UAE has delivered over $4 billion in humanitarian assistance to Gaza, representing 46 per cent of global humanitarian aid since 2023. This extensive support encompasses 130,708 tonnes of relief, medical, and food supplies transported via 796 aircraft, 25 ships, and 14,483 lorries, further reinforcing the extensive reach of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.