Airlink’s ongoing humanitarian relief missions

The crucial role airlift plays in expedited delivery is not limited to global trade, but is also of great significance to humanitarian relief.  Air Cargo World’s publisher, Royal Media, has, for some time, supported the efforts of Airlink, a leading rapid-response relief organization that links commercial and charter airlines within its network to pre-qualified nonprofits — essentially the freight forwarder of choice for the nonprofit industry.

Since the organization’s inception in 2010, Airlink has overseen the transport of more than 2,500 tonnes of cargo and 3,700 passengers across the globe, with the help of its generous partners. Their combined efforts have saved Airlink’s pre-qualified nonprofits an estimated US$5 million in logistics costs.

This year, there are no shortages of global disasters requiring exceptional airfreight services.

If you are interested in learning more about the degree to which demands for Airlink’s ongoing support missions are being met, and opportunities for improvement, join our sister publication, Cargo Facts, at the 2016 Cargo Facts Asia symposium, where Steven Smith, executive director of Airlink, will give a special presentation devoted to the topic. Cargo Facts Asia will take place in Hong Kong, April 19-20. To register, or for more information, go to cargofactsasia.com.

And now for a quick overview of Airlink’s current missions in progress:

Fiji – Cyclone Winston
Cyclone Winston, one of the strongest storms on record in the South Pacific, hit Fiji in late February, downing trees and power lines, destroying buildings, and causing mudslides and road closures across the islands.  The death toll stands at 42, with 67,000 homeless, and more than 350,000 people left without access to clean water, sanitation and basic food and medical supplies. Airlink has partnered with All Hands to support the organization’s efforts to restore latrines and distribute water, sanitation and health (WASH) education materials to reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases, such as typhoid.

Greece – Syrian refugee crisis
As the crisis enters its second year, more than 150,000 refugees have made the journey from Greece to neighboring states. To date, Airlink has worked with its partners to send nearly 4 tonnes of aid materials from International Medical Corps, and 10 aid workers from Disaster Tech Lab to assist with refugee relief activities.

United States – Flooding
Last week, torrential downpours caused widespread flooding in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Airlink responded by finding lift for two NECHAMA staff members. With more than 11,000 homes damaged, local government and relief agencies expect the demand for aid to persist.

Latin America & the Caribbean – Zika Virus
By the middle of last year, Latin American and Caribbean countries began to see a rise in the number of mosquito-borne Zika virus cases. While typically the disease is not considered dangerous in most adults, the Zika virus has been linked with infant microcephaly. Airlink is currently assisting its nonprofit partners with the transportation of aid materials, to assist in the management of this outbreak.

Ethiopia – Food Security Crisis
Ethiopia continues to suffer from the worst drought the country has seen in 50 years. More than 10.2 million people are in need of food assistance – an increase of more than 7 million people since January 2015 – due to El Niño conditions. The El Niño is expected to last at least until May, which is significantly impacting the harvest season and exacerbating concerns over food security as Ethiopia heads into the lean season. The United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that a well-coordinated response is underway. The scale of this growing crisis continues to outpace the aid available in the region despite local and international assistance. Transportation and WASH infrastructure continue to be barriers to relief.

Pakistan – Flooding
Heavy rain continues to affect several areas of Pakistan. At least 80 people are dead, 102 were injured, and 258 homes have been damaged inFATA, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Punjab as well as in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as of March 21. Rescue operations are underway for those who are stranded in the northwest part of the country.

Syria – Civil War
The Syrian Conflict continues into its sixth year this month. The cessation of hostilities brokered by the U.S. and Russia began on Feb. 27, and has drastically reduced the death toll over the past month despite various small violations of the agreement. Lack of humanitarian access remains a major issue. As of February, 13.5 million people are in need of humanitarian aid; 12.1 million people do not have access to clean water, 2.4 million people are in need of shelter, and 11.5 million are in need of healthcare, with just 43 percent of healthcare facilities operational at this time. Airlink is not involved in delivery of direct aid to Syria at this time due to humanitarian access issues.

Yemen – Civil War
Ongoing conflict is devastating the Yemeni population – an estimated 82 percent (21.2 million people) require humanitarian assistance to meet basic needs. Food insecurity and lack of access to clean water, hygiene supplies, and healthcare remain constant struggles. Over the last year, an estimated 2.4 million people have been displaced, 50 percent of whom originate from the most conflict-affected areas of Yemen. Access to airports at the capital, Sana’a, and the port of Aden remains a challenging logistical hurdle; Airlink is not currently involved in direct delivery of aid to Yemen due to humanitarian access issues.

To lend your support, either in the form of a direct monetary donation or a donation of frequent flyer miles, visit the Airlink website.