UAE’s 13th aid ship departs for Gaza as Ramadan nears

The UAE’s 13th humanitarian aid ship bound for Gaza set sail carrying more than 7,300 tonnes of food, medical supplies and shelter materials ahead of Ramadan, as part of its ongoing relief campaign for the enclave, as reported by The National and agencies on February 12th.

The vessel, named Umm Al Emarat, departed Khalifa Mina Port at noon on February 12th and is expected to reach Al Arish, Egypt, within 15 days. From there, the cargo will be transferred for delivery into Gaza.

The shipment forms part of Operation Gallant Knight 3 and includes contributions from 16 Emirati charitable and humanitarian organisations. Officials said the supplies were specifically tailored to meet the needs of Ramadan.

More than 4,200 tonnes of food parcels are onboard, along with 386 tonnes of additional food for community kitchens and 290 tonnes of dates. Each food parcel is designed to support a family of seven for approximately one week and contains staple items such as rice, flour, oil and canned goods.

Shelter materials make up 2,303 tonnes of the cargo, including nearly 3,500 tents, relief bags, hygiene supplies and Eid clothing. A further 54 tonnes consist of medical equipment, including ventilators, hospital beds and protective gear.

UAE officials said the humanitarian effort has expanded significantly since it began more than two years ago, growing from a handful of institutions to a broader coalition of over 18 organisations. Land convoys through Al Arish remain active, and a dedicated Ramadan air bridge is expected to be announced in the coming days.

Delivering aid into Gaza has presented logistical and security challenges, particularly during active hostilities. Despite this, humanitarian teams have continued operations, working to ensure food and medicine reach civilians.

The ship’s name, Umm Al Emarat, meaning “Mother of the Nation”, honours Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, widely recognised in the UAE for her humanitarian work.

Among the 30 crew members onboard are cadets from the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy and AD Ports, some of whom are taking part in humanitarian missions for the first time.

Alongside aid deliveries, the UAE has also facilitated evacuations of residents stranded in Gaza. Approximately 550 UAE residents were evacuated before the Rafah crossing closed in May 2024.

Since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023, the UAE says its assistance to Gaza has exceeded $3 billion, with more than 122,000 tonnes of aid delivered via air, land and sea.

The National and agencies, Maghrebi.org