In partnership with International Humanitarian City (IHC), Emirates Airline launched a humanitarian airlift at the end of last week to transport urgent relief supplies for those affected by the earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northwest Syria on 6 February.
The company said in a press release that its flights are expected to carry “around a hundred tonnes of urgent relief items like blankets, tents, medical supplies and other humanitarian goods”. Equipment will also be sent to support on-ground aid efforts and search and rescue operations.
From Dubai to Turkey and Syria
The materials are transported on commercial services between Dubai International Airport (DXB), Emirates’ main hub, and Istanbul International Airport (IST). From there they are on their way to the affected areas in both countries.
International Humanitarian City (IHC), which is based in Dubai, is coordinating the delivery of the items. The first shipments were made last week: thermal blankets and family tents provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) were loaded onto flights EK 121 and EK 117. In addition, medical kits and shelter items provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) were dispatched.
Emirates SkyCargo plans to deliver humanitarian aid to people in Turkey and Syria affected by the earthquake for at least two weeks.
“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”, said Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the company’s Chairman and CEO.
See also: Deadly Earthquake strikes southwest Turkey, causing widespread damage and disrupting flights
