WHO’s Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics in Dubai responding to the Ebola outbreak

The World Health Organization’s Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics is rapidly preparing approximately 20 metric tons of urgently needed medical countermeasures to support the ongoing response to the outbreak of Ebola in DRC.  Critical infection prevention and control equipment including PPE, sprayers for disinfectant, and additional supplies for treatment centers are now being readied to support 600 patients and 280 health structures.

Working with the World Food Program, UNICEF, and others, WHO is part of an inter-agency response to rapidly support the control of the ongoing outbreak declared as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO on 17 May.

Despite the impact of the US/Iran conflict on global supply chains, WHO’s Hub continues to deliver vital humanitarian health supplies.  Delivering US $4.5 million in health supplies to 21 countries across 5 of the 6 WHO geographic regions, since the start of the conflict, the Hub is a lifeline for countries in need of immediate health emergency assistance.

The Hub currently has US $3.2 million in health supplies awaiting delivery to 27 different countries including supplies to support the Polio Eradication Initiative and 10 metric tons of trauma and emergency surgery kits for Lebanon.

Saving WHO over US $90 million in operational costs, the Hub represents the largest source of pre-positioned medical countermeasures for WHO globally.  A vital resource for health emergencies, the Hub continues to deliver highly technical humanitarian health supplies to challenging and remote destinations through an agile, cost-effective, and reliable supply chain in coordination with other UN partners but support is urgently needed to maintain these life-saving capabilities as the UN and WHO continue to grapple with the impact of reduced funding across the humanitarian and development sector.