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'Dubai Aid City' launched

DUBAI - Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation announced yesterday the launch of 'Dubai Aid City', a fully integrated aid distribution and storage facility designed for use by the international aid community.

Located in the Southern area of the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafz), Dubai Aid City will provide a total solution for local and international aid agencies, complete with pre-built warehousing, storage areas and office facilities. Spread over 300,000 square metres, the city, which is expected to take approximately two years to complete, will provide international aid organisations a strategic logistical location from which to store, stockpile and distribute aid cargo via sea, land or air to destinations around the world.

The specific requirements of interested aid organisations and agencies are being taken into consideration during the design of the warehousing and office facilities, to include special requirements such as cool and cold storage facilities for sensitive food and medical supplies, in addition to dry cargo facilities. Until its completion, aid agencies will be able to utilise warehousing, office facilities and distribution solutions at dedicated areas of Port Rashid and Jebel Ali port.

Ahmed Butti, managing director of Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority said: "By basing operations in the Dubai City, in a free zone which has a well established infrastructure, facilities and premium services, aid bodies will be able to use the specially built extensive warehouse facilities to stockpile emergency supplies for countries around the world, not just this region." He said the new city would generate more cargo aid related businesses for the Emirate, adding that aid cargo volumes will be increasing in the coming years.

Jamal Majid bin Thaniah, managing director of Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), said that Dubai Aid City's immediate proximity to the leading port authority in the region - DPA - ensures the competitive advantages and services of over 100 leading shipping lines that call at DPA. He said: "We want to be ready to provide logistics for relief cargo whenever it is needed.

Regular aid shipments can be sent via Jebel Ali port located next to the free zone, Port Rashid in downtown Dubai or Hamriyah port, for effective distribution to areas of long-term aid relief or immediate humanitarian needs.

Large volumes of cargo can be quickly distributed to Iraq, Eastern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, or East Africa, he said, adding that DPA has handled some 80,000 metric tonnes of air cargo to Iraq during the past three months.