The key facts
- The first flight of the air bridge delivered thermal blankets for UNICEF to El Arish for transfer to Gaza
- Flights are operated by Dubai Royal Air Wing on C-130 aircraft, about 9 tonnes of cargo per flight; at least three more flights are planned
- The shipment became the first coordinated order under the UN80 Integrated Supply Chain Approach
New air bridge for winter aid
Dubai Humanitarian has launched a new air bridge to deliver winter humanitarian aid to Gaza. The first flight carrying core humanitarian cargo, including thermal blankets for UNICEF, arrived in El Arish in Egypt, from where the cargo is transferred to Gaza. The initiative is carried out under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Operation details
The operation involves several Dubai Royal Air Wing flights on C-130 aircraft, each carrying about nine metric tonnes of humanitarian cargo. According to Dubai Humanitarian, at least three more flights with blankets for children and other vulnerable groups are planned in the coming days as winter approaches.
Statements and context
Chairman of the Dubai Humanitarian Authority Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita noted that the winter months create additional hardships for families already in difficult conditions, especially children. According to him, the first facilitated delivery of the new air bridge arrived in El Arish before being sent to Gaza, and the operation reflects Dubai Humanitarian's role as a global hub uniting humanitarian partners.
UN coordination and background
The shipment became the first coordinated order under the UN80 Integrated Supply Chain Approach — an initiative that brings together UN agencies for joint procurement and delivery of humanitarian cargo. It aims to improve coordination, speed up operations and increase the efficiency of aid delivery. Since 2023, Dubai Humanitarian has supported efforts to supply Gaza through air bridges, land convoys and sea shipments, working with international partners across several routes.
