UAE’s Emirates airline launches humanitarian airbridge to transport aid to Turkey, Syria

Last updated on February 13th, 2023 at 03:57 am

In the wake of deadly earthquakes and aftershocks in Turkey and neighbouring Syria, Dubai’s Emirates is setting up an airbridge with the International Humanitarian City (IHC), to transport equipment, relief supplies, and medical items in order to support on-ground search and rescue operations and aid efforts in both countries.

More than 24,000 people have been reported dead, while thousands of others are battling freezing conditions, amid a lack of water, food, tents, and medical supplies.

Emirates SkyCargo 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 the Turkish capital city of Istanbul. Local organisations will then take on the role of delivering the critical emergency supplies to affected areas in the quake-hit nations.

Emirates’ Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, while mentioning the recent development, underscored the airline’s extensive experience in supporting humanitarian relief efforts.

A long-standing partnership between the freight division of Emirates and the IHC enables the airline to swiftly deploy humanitarian supplies to scores of people around the world impacted by medical emergencies, natural disasters, and other crises.

On Thursday, HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, pledged to provide $13.6 million towards mitigating the repercussions of the tremors.

The donation follows a Tuesday order from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed regarding an aid package totalling $100 million to support relief work in Turkey and Syria.

On Monday, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, in an effort to provide necessary assistance to affected Syrians, ordered humanitarian aid worth $13.6 million through the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.

So far, 27 aircraft have been sent under the ‘Gallant Knight/2′ operation, launched Tuesday under the directives of Sheikh Mohamed. The planes carried tonnes of food supplies, medical supplies, and tents.

In addition to the relief supplies, the UAE has also dispatched a number of rescue personnel, who have pulled at least four people out of the rubble alive.

The operation highlights the Mideast nation’s commitment to sending humanitarian aid to those in need, irrespective of region, religion, and diplomacy.

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