Emirates, IHC transport humanitarian aid to Turkey/Syria
The first shipments, consisting of high thermal blankets and family tents from UNHCR, are scheduled to depart today on EK 121 and EK 117, followed by WHO and WFP relief cargo of medical kits and shelter materials, co-ordinated by the IHC in Dubai.
Following the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, Emirates is setting an airbridge with the International Humanitarian City (IHC) to transport emergency relief supplies, medical supplies, and equipment to support on-the-ground aid efforts and search and rescue operations in both countries.
The first shipments, consisting of high thermal blankets and family tents from UNHCR, are scheduled to depart today on EK 121 and EK 117, followed by World Health Organization (WHO) and World Food Programme (WFP) relief cargo of medical kits and shelter materials, co-ordinated by the IHC in Dubai.
More consignments of blankets, tents, shelter kits, flash lights, water distribution ramps, and trauma and emergency health kits will be sent aboard Emirates in the following days.
Over the next two weeks, Emirates SkyCargo expects to designate cargo space for around 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid commodities throughout its daily aircraft operations to Istanbul. The crucial emergency supplies carried by Emirates will subsequently be transported to damaged areas in southern Turkey and northern Syria by local organizations, assisting on-the-ground responders and giving much-needed relief to the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the earthquakes.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates said, "We stand with the Turkish and Syrian people and are working with experts like the International Humanitarian City to help provide urgent relief to those affected and displaced by the earthquakes, as well as support the complex recovery efforts on the ground. Emirates has extensive experience in supporting humanitarian relief efforts, and through its three daily flights to Istanbul will offer regular and consistent widebody capacity for relief items and medical supplies. Emirates also 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."
Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Supervision, IHC said, "The IHC remains committed to providing the people affected by the earthquakes with the humanitarian support and resources they need. 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."
Emirates' freight division has a long history of partnership with the IHC, allowing the airline to take the lead on various relief operations, sending humanitarian goods to communities throughout the world affected by natural disasters, medical emergencies, worldwide epidemics, and other crises.
In the aftermath of the Port of Beirut explosions in 2020, the airline enabled humanitarian operations to Lebanon. Emirates established a humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India in 2021 to transfer vital medical and relief materials to help the country contain the COVID-19 epidemic. Last year, the airline granted cargo capacity to organizations collaborating with the IHC to transfer crucial equipment and supplies straight to five flood-ravaged cities in Pakistan.
Over the years, Emirates has also supported humanitarian flights in partnership with the Airbus Foundation, and since 2013, Emirates A380 ferry flights have transported over 120 tonnes of food and vital emergency equipment to those in need.
