To support responses to humanitarian crises around the world, LATAM group will provide UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, with free passenger and cargo transportation to help people who have had to flee their homes in search of safety and protection.
The agreement includes the shipment of cargo free of charge and the contribution for airline tickets to destinations in the LATAM network. The initiative is part of the group’s Avión Solidario program, which, through partnerships, seeks to generate value for society by providing free transportation to meet various types of needs in the region.
«For UNHCR it is fundamental to be able to count on the support and collaboration of companies with social commitment to guarantee protection and aid to the displaced. We are grateful for the immense wave of solidarity from people and companies around the world with the emergency in Ukraine. Thanks to LATAM for this strategic alliance that will help us reunite displaced families and transport relief materials for those who have had to flee their homes in Ukraine and other parts of the world, such as here in Latin America,» said José Samaniego, UNHCR Regional Director for the Americas.
«At LATAM we understand that, as a company, we are also a social actor, which implies rights, but also the responsibility to work for the benefit of the societies where we operate. The terrible situation in Ukraine and the consequences for millions of people led us to collaborate with UNHCR and today we are proud to be able to provide free transportation for refugees, donations and humanitarian aid for them and their families in all destinations of our airline network,» added Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.
According to UNHCR’s Global Trends report, 1% of humanity was forced to flee their homes in 2020. Currently, the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries has displaced more than 10 million people.
In Latin America and the Caribbean there are also more than 18 million displaced people according to UNHCR.
LATAM’s Avion Solidario program is part of the group’s sustainability strategy and seeks to generate value for society by transporting cargo and passengers at no cost.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has played an active role in the free transportation of vaccines in the countries in which it operates, having already moved more than 253 million doses, in addition to more than 3,400 health professionals to meet urgent needs related to the pandemic disease.
Recently, the program announced partnerships with civil society organizations in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, putting its experience, infrastructure, connectivity and the speed of air transport at the service of transporting people and cargo free of charge.
