Muscat: On Sunday, representatives from the Sultanate of Oman embarked on a visit to the UNICEF’s Global Supply and Logistics Hub in Copenhagen. The purpose of this visit is to further enhance humanitarian collaboration.
The delegation is comprised of officials from the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Education, the Children First Association, the Oman Charitable Organization, Dar Al-Atta, and representatives from the private sector.
The visit provided the delegation with a detailed insight into UNICEF’s remarkable procurement and delivery operations in some of the world’s most challenging environments. This visit is strategically aligned with Oman’s recent contributions to UNICEF’s appeal for Gaza.
During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to observe the critical role played by UNICEF’s Supply Division in delivering essential supplies to children globally. They were briefed on UNICEF’s extensive operations, which in the year 2023 alone facilitated the procurement of $5.2 billion in essential goods and services, benefiting children in 162 countries.
Furthermore, UNICEF’s Supply Division has been instrumental in delivering over $270 million worth of life-saving supplies to children and families in Gaza and Sudan as part of its operations in 2023 and to date in 2024.
HH Dr. Sayyida Muna Al Said, Chairperson of the Children First Association, expressed her reflections on the visit, stating, "Our visit to Copenhagen has been truly enlightening. We witnessed UNICEF’s advanced facilities and innovative approaches, particularly those designed to meet the needs of children with disabilities. This is in line with Oman Vision 2040, which places a high priority on the health, education, and overall well-being of our children as a cornerstone of our nation's development."
Over the course of three days, the delegation received an in-depth tour of UNICEF’s state-of-the-art facilities, including an exclusive look at the fully automated High Bay storage area, a structure that can accommodate up to 36,000 pallets of essential supplies and operates with eight robots, ensuring efficient handling and swift response capabilities, which are vital during emergencies.
In addition to the tour, the delegation had the chance to visit UNICEF’s Innovation Hub, which showcases the latest research and techniques, including assistive technologies aimed at supporting children with disabilities.
"Children are at the core of UNICEF’s supply operations," stated Director of UNICEF’s Supply Division, Leila Pakkala. "We extend our heartfelt thanks for the strong cooperation and partnership between the Government of Oman and UNICEF for the benefit of children in the most urgent need."
