Dubai Humanitarian airlifts medical supplies to support Ebola response

Dubai Humanitarian has airlifted 20 metric tonnes of critical medical supplies to support efforts to contain a new Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The shipment was dispatched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The supplies, drawn from the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) emergency stockpiles in Dubai, departed from Al Maktoum International Airport and was transported via Uganda.

The shipment is expected to support hundreds of patients over the next four weeks and assist around 280 healthcare facilities.

It includes medical tents, disinfectants, personal protective equipment, thermometers and other essential items needed to strengthen outbreak response efforts and protect frontline healthcare workers.

Dubai Humanitarian's CEO Giuseppe Saba said the organisation is working closely with international partners to ensure life-saving aid reaches affected communities quickly, despite growing challenges facing global humanitarian operations.

The WHO's Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, thanked Dubai Humanitarian and the UAE for their continued support, stressing that rapid action and international cooperation are critical as health authorities respond to the outbreak.

She said the supplies will help frontline teams detect, contain and respond to Ebola cases while protecting healthcare workers caring for affected communities.

Dubai Humanitarian previously played a key role in supporting international relief efforts during the West Africa Ebola outbreak between 2014 and 2016.

Under the directives of Mohammed bin Rashid, Dubai Humanitarian airlifts 20 metric tonnes of critical medical supplies with World Health Organization (WHO) to support efforts to combat Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. pic.twitter.com/8lzxcgN7kF

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 5, 2026