Consortium delivers ultra-cold freezers to Africa for covid-19 vaccines

Following the UAE’s multilateral in-kind contribution and commitment to UNICEF to support COVAX’s global vaccine distribution efforts, the HOPE Consortium and UNICEF have agreed to fund the delivery of 65 ultra-cold freezers to Africa.

The freezers are required for COVID-19 vaccines that require ultra-cold storage, as well as to allow African nations to absorb incoming vaccine supplies recently donated by the United States of America.

The delivery demonstrates the HOPE Consortium’s dedication to contributing to the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The shipment will be delivered to 21 African countries, including Benin, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Eswatini, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Niger, Sao Tome, and Zambia, thanks to HOPE Consortium partners and other logistics providers.

“The UAE remains committed to doing our part to mitigate the effects of the pandemic by assisting countries in overcoming the logistical and technical challenges associated with the delivery of large-scale vaccination programs,” said H.E. Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs.

Our collaboration with UNICEF is critical to implementing an effective global response to COVID-19, particularly in Africa. We are proud to dedicate the HOPE Consortium’s unique services to international efforts such as COVAX.”

The COVAX mission aims to ensure that vaccine supplies are distributed equitably to the world’s population. However, many countries face logistical challenges in receiving and safely storing temperature-sensitive vaccine supplies. To that end, the 65 ultra-cold freezers are a necessary preparatory strategy to improve cold chain capabilities within recipient countries in advance of incoming vaccine deliveries requiring ultra-cold storage.

“These deliveries of ultra-cold freezers mark an important step towards equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines,” said Etleva Kadilli, Director of UNICEF’s Supply Division. This critical infrastructure will increase African countries’ capacity to scale up COVID-19 vaccine roll-out and will also help manage other vaccines that may require ultra-cold storage temperatures.

UNICEF is pleased to collaborate with partners such as the HOPE Consortium to assist governments in strengthening health systems in preparation for the COVID-19 response and beyond – making them resilient for the future.”

“Abu Dhabi’s strategic location as a medical and life sciences hub, combined with the HOPE Consortium’s ultra-cold chain capabilities, make us a natural partner to support COVAX’s global mission,” said Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Chairman of the Executive Committee, the HOPE Consortium, and Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group.

Because no one is safe until everyone is safe, it is critical that all nations around the world have the capacity to store and administer a diverse range of vaccines that are widely available. By collaborating with UNICEF, Etihad, and our logistics partners, we are committed to doing our part in establishing the necessary cold chain infrastructure to deliver hope and supplies to communities in need and help chart a path to long-term recovery.”

In support of its global efforts against the pandemic, the HOPE Consortium and its partners have developed one of the most extensive end-to-end vaccine supply chains, capable of delivering millions of vaccines from the point of manufacture to the point of immunization.

Furthermore, it has built a vaccine hub in Abu Dhabi that can store over 120 million vaccines at temperatures ranging from +8 °C to -30 °C at any time, as well as the UAE’s largest ‘Freezer Farm,’ which can store over 11 million vaccine doses at an ultra-cold temperature of -70 °C. The HOPE Consortium brings together global leaders in logistics, technology, and supply chains in this major area of expertise.