In a major boost to the global efforts against COVID-19, Abu Dhabi’s Hope Consortium has successfully delivered over 210 million vaccine doses to more than 60 countries in the year 2021.

According to top officials managing the initiative, Hope Consortium has made significant progress in promoting equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines across various countries in need.

The initiative was launched in November 202 as part of the collaboration between the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), Etihad Cargo, Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Rafed, SkyCell and Maqta Gateway with the aim to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to the world.

Dr Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, undersecretary at DoH, expressed happiness in making a huge impact with the initiative in one year.

"It gives me hope that we are helping countries to build the logistical capabilities and infrastructure, to build robust healthcare systems for their health and well-being," he added.

During its first year of operation, the Consortium has established partnerships with over 12 freight forwarding and logistics leaders. These partnerships have diversified the Consortium's network and expanded its global reach.

“One year ago, we began our journey with a single purpose: to deliver hope. The world was not ready but together we are, working together to face and overcome the challenges in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, paving the road towards equitable access to vaccines," added Robert Sutton, head of logistics cluster, Abu Dhabi Ports Group.

The Consortium partnered with Via Medica International Healthcare to launch its first in-country vaccination support programme in Africa. With this initiative, these entities have earned recognition for their contribution to the global mission to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines.

Recently, the Consortium and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) established a partnership to promote the delivery of 65 ultra-cold freezers in 20 African nations to allow them safely store crucial COVID-19 vaccines.

Martin Drew, senior vice-president, sales and cargo at Etihad Cargo, affirmed the continuity of the work to establish strong networks and partnerships in various countries in need of vaccines.

“What gives me hope are the great results we have delivered today using Etihad Cargo’s capabilities delivering temperature-sensitive pharma around the world. And as we continue expanding the reach of this initiative, I am confident that our sustained efforts will see us through to the end of this pandemic," he added.

In Abu Dhabi, the Hope Consortium has a state-of-the-art warehouse facility hub to accommodate more than 120 million vaccines at temperatures of +8 degrees to -30 degrees at any time.

Furthermore, it hosts the UAE’s largest ‘Freezer Farm' that has the potential to store more than 11 million vaccine doses in ultra-cold temperatures of -70 degrees.

Rashid Al Hosani, commercial director at Maqta Gateway, AD Ports Group, explained the scalability of the supply chain solution.

“It can accommodate an increase in the supply chain, the movement of vaccines. Definitely, now we have reached around 200 million vaccines. So, it’s growing at a very fast pace. And you have to have that scalable infrastructure to accommodate the changes in growth," Al Hosani said.

According to Our World in Data, 58.6 percent of the world population has received at least one dose of the crucial COVID-19 vaccine.

Ahmed Al Bastaki, chief strategy officer, Rafed, stated that the initiative has ensured operational and logistical synergies between partners of the Hope Consortium. In addition, it has helped in building world-class vaccine storage and distribution system.

"Working towards this important mission to serve humanity in the fight against COVID-19 gives me hope," Al Bastaki added.

Richard Ettl, CEO, Sky Cell, further pointed out that efforts are underway to build the next-generation container fleet in Abu Dhabi.

“For Sky Cell this is the opportunity to put our experience, knowledge and technology to work, to make sure that there is no loss in the vaccine supply chain. For the Hope Consortium, we are building up a dedicated container fleet with a service centre located in Abu Dhabi to make sure this consortium has dedicated resources to bring vaccines from the world to the world," he said.In a major boost to the global efforts against COVID-19, Abu Dhabi’s Hope Consortium has successfully delivered over 210 million vaccine doses to more than 60 countries in the year 2021.

According to top officials managing the initiative, Hope Consortium has made significant progress in promoting equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines across various countries in need.

The initiative was launched in November 202 as part of the collaboration between the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), Etihad Cargo, Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Rafed, SkyCell and Maqta Gateway with the aim to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to the world.

Dr Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, undersecretary at DoH, expressed happiness in making a huge impact with the initiative in one year.

"It gives me hope that we are helping countries to build the logistical capabilities and infrastructure, to build robust healthcare systems for their health and well-being," he added.

During its first year of operation, the Consortium has established partnerships with over 12 freight forwarding and logistics leaders. These partnerships have diversified the Consortium's network and expanded its global reach.

“One year ago, we began our journey with a single purpose: to deliver hope. The world was not ready but together we are, working together to face and overcome the challenges in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, paving the road towards equitable access to vaccines," added Robert Sutton, head of logistics cluster, Abu Dhabi Ports Group.

The Consortium partnered with Via Medica International Healthcare to launch its first in-country vaccination support programme in Africa. With this initiative, these entities have earned recognition for their contribution to the global mission to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines.

Recently, the Consortium and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) established a partnership to promote the delivery of 65 ultra-cold freezers in 20 African nations to allow them safely store crucial COVID-19 vaccines.

Martin Drew, senior vice-president, sales and cargo at Etihad Cargo, affirmed the continuity of the work to establish strong networks and partnerships in various countries in need of vaccines.

“What gives me hope are the great results we have delivered today using Etihad Cargo’s capabilities delivering temperature-sensitive pharma around the world. And as we continue expanding the reach of this initiative, I am confident that our sustained efforts will see us through to the end of this pandemic," he added.

In Abu Dhabi, the Hope Consortium has a state-of-the-art warehouse facility hub to accommodate more than 120 million vaccines at temperatures of +8 degrees to -30 degrees at any time.

Furthermore, it hosts the UAE’s largest ‘Freezer Farm' that has the potential to store more than 11 million vaccine doses in ultra-cold temperatures of -70 degrees.

Rashid Al Hosani, commercial director at Maqta Gateway, AD Ports Group, explained the scalability of the supply chain solution.

“It can accommodate an increase in the supply chain, the movement of vaccines. Definitely, now we have reached around 200 million vaccines. So, it’s growing at a very fast pace. And you have to have that scalable infrastructure to accommodate the changes in growth," Al Hosani said.

According to Our World in Data, 58.6 percent of the world population has received at least one dose of the crucial COVID-19 vaccine.

Ahmed Al Bastaki, chief strategy officer, Rafed, stated that the initiative has ensured operational and logistical synergies between partners of the Hope Consortium. In addition, it has helped in building world-class vaccine storage and distribution system.

"Working towards this important mission to serve humanity in the fight against COVID-19 gives me hope," Al Bastaki added.

Richard Ettl, CEO, Sky Cell, further pointed out that efforts are underway to build the next-generation container fleet in Abu Dhabi.

“For Sky Cell this is the opportunity to put our experience, knowledge and technology to work, to make sure that there is no loss in the vaccine supply chain. For the Hope Consortium, we are building up a dedicated container fleet with a service centre located in Abu Dhabi to make sure this consortium has dedicated resources to bring vaccines from the world to the world," he said.