UNICEF partners with Dubai- based DP world to distribute vaccine free of charge

 

DP world, based out of the United Arab Emirates, is known for its global port operations and considering the efficiency of the world that they do, Unicef has signed a deal with DP world to supply nearly two billion doses of Covid-19 free of charge.

The agency set up by the United Nations to review the activities and lifestyle standard of children--Unicef--is going to partner with DP World to transport Covid-19 vaccines. The official announcement came on Wednesday. On this development, the CEO of DP world,  Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, said, “Distributing Covid-19 vaccines is humanity’s biggest logistics challenge since the end of the Second World War. We offer our infrastructure and expertise to support this effort because everyone should have access to vaccines, especially the most vulnerable in our society. Unless the vaccine is available to all, the pandemic will not end for anyone.”

As per reports, the Dubai based transport firm will be providing its services of transportation and storage free of cost to the organisation, which aims to help the middle income countries, the two parties said in a joint statement on January 27.

The transport agency has a wide spread of network that will be helpful for the distribution purposes. It has its presence in African and Asian region in addition with its flagship arena of Jebel Ali port in Dubai. The port is the biggest transhipment hub of the Middle East region.

The firm will not only be responsible for supplying or distributing the vaccines but also procuring it. All the steps with regards to the transportation section will be taken care of by the immunisation supplies of COVAX, a global vaccine plan developed by the World Health Organisation.

Unicef director confirmed the partnership as Henrietta Holsman Fore said, “Vaccines will be a big step towards putting children’s lives back on track. This new partnership will support our collective efforts to ensure equitable, affordable and sustainable access to Covid-19 vaccines.”

As per statements made by WHO, the global vaccines will be delivered to nearly 2.3 billion Covid-19 doses by the end of this year. Of the 2.3 billion, 1.8 billion doses will be dedicated to the lower income countries at no cost to their governments. Other than the deal of distributing vaccines, DP world and Unicef will also be collaborating in sectors like education, health and women empowerment in future.