Emirates launches humanitarian airbridge to transport emergency aid

n In the wake of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, Emirates has set up an airbridge with the International Humanitarian City (IHC), to transport urgent relief supplies, medical items and equipment to support onground aid efforts and search and rescue activities in both countries.

The first two recent shipments consisted of high thermal blankets and family tents from UNHCR, followed by World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Food Programme (WFP) relief cargo of medical kits and shelter items, coordinated by the IHC in Dubai.

Furthermore, more consignments of blankets, tents, shelter kits, flash-lights, water distribution ramps and trauma and emergency health kits will be transported on Emirates, and the carrier plans to dedicate cargo space for around 100 tonnes of humanitarian relief goods over the course of the next two weeks across its daily flight operations to Istanbul, according to a press communique.

“Emirates supports the UAE’s ongoing humanitarian efforts to support Turkey and Syria, and Dubai’s unique position as the world’s largest international aid logistics hub means that we can efficiently reach disaster stricken areas and the most vulnerable people as quickly as possible,” commented HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates’ Chairman and Chief Executive.

“We are taking urgent action by facilitating airlifts of vital medical supplies, shelter items and other relief goods from the UNHCR, World Health Organization

(WHO) and World Food Programme (WFP) to address the pressing demand for aid in the affected regions,”remarked Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Chairman, Supreme Committee for the Supervision of IHC.

The freight division of Emirates has a long-standing partnership with the IHC, enabling the airline to nimbly and quickly lead on numerous relief missions, deploying humanitarian supplies to communities around the world impacted by natural disasters, medical emergencies, global outbreaks and other crises, the press note concluded.