In a significant expansion of its humanitarian operations, Ras Al Khaimah has launched its inaugural maritime aid mission to Gaza, deploying a vessel carrying 4,000 tonnes of critical supplies destined for displaced Palestinian families ahead of Ramadan. The Saqr Humanitarian Ship departed from Ras Al Khaimah Port on January 22, embarking on a strategic journey to Egypt’s Port of Al Arish with an anticipated arrival date of February 5.
The comprehensive cargo aboard represents a meticulously coordinated response to urgent needs in Gaza, containing food provisions for bakeries and communal kitchens, specialized Ramadan food parcels, clothing, blankets, shelter materials, and essential medical supplies to reinforce overwhelmed healthcare facilities. This shipment marks the 23rd humanitarian vessel dispatched under the UAE’s coordinated Gaza relief efforts.
Hamoud Saeed Al Afari, Relief Operations Coordinator for Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, emphasized the strategic nature of this assistance: ‘This vessel carries essential supplies carefully selected based on urgent humanitarian needs, particularly in preparation for Ramadan. Our goal is to ensure aid reaches families, hospitals, and relief centers as quickly and efficiently as possible.’
The UAE’s humanitarian infrastructure extends beyond maritime deliveries, encompassing a field hospital in Gaza, an operational eye hospital in Al Arish, and six constructed water desalination plants. These efforts are supplemented by daily water deliveries, sustained support for food production facilities, and comprehensive medical assistance that has facilitated treatment for 1,000 Palestinian children and 1,000 cancer patients within UAE facilities.
Notably, this mission represents Ras Al Khaimah Port’s inaugural participation in humanitarian maritime operations, joining other UAE ports including Fujairah, Al Hamriyah in Dubai, and Khalifa Port in this coordinated effort. To date, the UAE has delivered more than 737 humanitarian flights and over 10,000 aid trucks into Gaza, accounting for more than 46% of total international assistance.
The Saqr Mohammed Al Qasimi Foundation for Charity and Humanitarian Work fully funded and loaded this historic shipment, marking the foundation’s first complete humanitarian ship contribution. Mohammed Al Shareef, official spokesperson for Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, confirmed that aid selection was based on real-time assessments by UAE field teams to ensure alignment with the most pressing civilian needs.
With total aid volume under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 reaching 110,000 tonnes valued at over $2.6 billion, the UAE continues to dominate international relief efforts for Gaza. A subsequent humanitarian vessel carrying more than 7,000 tonnes of aid is already scheduled for loading and dispatch in early February, reinforcing the sustained pipeline of assistance.