Fall 2024 Update: Airlink’s Latest Responses
Read the latest update from Airlink to see the tangible impact of your support, which ensures humanitarian personnel and critical aid supplies reach those who need it most. Discover the nonprofit partners and communities we’re helping together with the generous assistance of our airline partners and sponsors. As the demand for Airlink’s services grows worldwide, your continued support of our mission is invaluable — thank you!
Typhoon Yagi – Thailand & Myanmar
Response
Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Southeast Asia in early September, leaving a path of destruction across several countries. This includes heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding and landslides in Thailand and Myanmar, comprising affected communities’ access to critical infrastructure such as safe water, hygiene, and sanitation. Limited access increases the risk of waterborne diseases, leaving displaced populations vulnerable. Airlink’s partners at the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Institute, launched a response to address these critical needs, working alongside local partners to distribute WASH supplies to remote communities in Myanmar and Thailand. While on the ground, the HADR Institute completed humanitarian access assessments to identify safe and effective solutions for aid delivery. Thank you to Cathay Pacific for supporting this critical response.
Bangladesh Flooding
Recovery
This year’s monsoon season in South Asia brought severe flooding to many countries, including Bangladesh where at least six million people were internally displaced. The historic flooding compromised infrastructure, contaminating sources of clean water, which left affected communities at risk of waterborne diseases and other illnesses. These risks are compounded by overcrowded shelters and medical facilities, along with increased mosquito-borne diseases due to stagnant waters, all of which put immense pressure on the healthcare system.
In response to critical medical needs, Airlink coordinated travel for Mobile Medics International in partnership with Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines, to help bolster emergency healthcare capacity. Medical professionals with Mobile Medics International provided primary and emergency care to displaced individuals across several shelters in affected regions.
Armenia-Azerbaijan
Response
The ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has displaced thousands of Armenians, the majority of whom are women and children, and left them without access to basic and comprehensive health and hygiene services, shelter, and nutrition support. Last month, and with support from United Airlines, Airlink partnered with GlobalMedic who are working with local partners to implement food distribution programs to feed 3,500 Armenians in need.
GlobalMedic is working with local partners to implement food distribution programs. By not having to spend their limited resources on these essentials, displaced families will be able to allocate more money towards their rent and other shelter-related costs, alleviating some of the financial burden that they’re facing.
Hurricane Beryl – Grenada
Recovery
Airlink continues to provide essential recovery support in the wake of Hurricane Beryl’s devastating impact on Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with the ongoing assistance of USAID/BHA and our airline partners. Smaller islands, including Carriacou and Union Island, remain affected by the storm. With support from Virgin Atlantic, Airlink facilitated a shipment of Family Emergency Kits (FEKs) from GlobalMedic to assist families without access to electricity or clean water. Additionally, Airlink continues to support Water Mission engineers traveling to Union Island, where significant infrastructure damage has disrupted rainwater collection systems ahead of the dry season. Virgin Atlantic also helped transport two Mobile Storage Units (MSUs) on behalf of the World Food Programme to increase warehousing capacity on smaller islands for UNICEF. Additionally, with the support of Amerijet International, Airlink mobilized a shipment of generators and shelter supplies to Carriacou, aiding in rebuilding efforts where virtually all infrastructure was significantly damaged. Airlink continues to provide long term support for life-saving and life-sustaining support to communities affected by the storm.
Haiti – Complex Crisis
Response
Access to healthcare has become alarmingly constrained in Haiti, while the already concerning humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. Civilians bear the brunt of the ongoing political instability and widespread gang violence, often without reliable access to basic services. Airlink continues to support partner organizations committed to addressing humanitarian needs in the country. With the support of American Airlines, Airlink coordinated flights on behalf of the Centre Hospitalier de Fontaine (CHF) Foundation to Haiti. The CHF Foundation maintains medical facilities, including a hospital and mobile clinics in Cité-Soleil, where they are often the only healthcare provider to communities. With the frequent closure of facilities due to lack of supplies, staff, or the access constraints, organizations such as the CHF Foundation ensure access to lifesaving, emergency, and primary care.
Gaza – Humanitarian Crisis
Response
Over the past year, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has escalated significantly. Civilians have faced acute famine, a lack of access to healthcare and hygiene facilities, and exposure to disease. In response, Airlink has coordinated transportation for over 400 tons of critically needed relief supplies and over 90 humanitarian responders in partnership with 16 NGO partners to support the immense needs across the region. This includes hospital theaters, medicines, medical supplies, durable medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, shelter items, baby and feminine hygiene supplies, food and nutrition items, and water, sanitation, and hygiene kits with delivery to emergency response programs throughout the region supporting emergency needs in Gaza and regional cargo pre-positioning. Despite significant difficulties in cross-border transportation to Gaza, Airlink remains committed to supporting partners who retain access for cargo storage and pre-positioning as well as final mile delivery.
Over the past two months, Airlink has supported NGO partners Anera, Project C.U.R..E., MedGlobal, World Emergency Relief, and United Palestinian Appeal in the movement of 45 tons of cargo including meals, hygiene supplies, medical supplies, hospital beds, baby care items, and pharmaceuticals. These supplies will collectively reach at least 20,000 civilians at our partners’ local facilities that, despite the conflict, continue to provide shelter and essential services.
Additionally, Airlink provided passenger travel on behalf of FAJR Scientific and MedGlobal, whose staff were comprised of speciality surgeons and skilled medical personnel. MedGlobal volunteers worked to sustain local health infrastructure and provide life sustaining care to over 500 patients. FAJR Scientific staff provided 1,000 civilians with life-saving surgeries to fill the gap of specialty physicians working in Palestine. Their staff also provided local facilities with essential medicines and hygiene kits to prevent the spread of infectious disease.
Lebanon – Complex Crisis
Response
Over the past few months, the escalation of violence, ongoing airstrikes, and subsequent forced displacement of civilians across Lebanon have heightened existing vulnerabilities. The ongoing conflict has overwhelmed the healthcare system and caused a shortage of resources, personnel, and essential medical supplies. In response, Airlink is supporting our NGO partners in the travel of specialized healthcare professionals and the transport of essential medical supplies.
Most recently, Airlink supported travel for FAJR Scientific’s emergency responders who will be providing critical surgical care to injured civilians. Over 600 civilians in need will be provided with access to specialized trauma surgeries, and up to 6,000 people will be indirectly impacted by the work of these surgeons.
Additionally, Airlink provided logistics and transportation support in the movement of Interagency Emergency Health Kits (IEHK) medicine modules on behalf of United Palestinian Appeal. The IEHKs are designed to provide essential medicines for populations affected by emergencies that have limited access to routine health care. These kits will meet the needs of 10,000 people over the course of three months, and UPA partners on the ground will be directing medicines to displaced and hard to reach populations south of Beirut.
Turkiye-Syria Earthquake Long Term Recovery
Recovery
In February 2023, a series of earthquakes devastated south Turkiye and north Syria and nearly two years later, the population continues to face significant challenges to accessing safe shelter and basic services. In October, Airlink provided transport for a team of GAiN construction experts who built 15 houses that will grant at least 90 family members access to dignified and fortified shelter.
Additionally, Airlink also supported travel for ten MedGlobal volunteers, each with expertise in different medical specialties, to northwest Syria. Physicians provided comprehensive medical services to 1,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable populations and provided training to medical staff to improve the sustainability of the local health system.
Both of these long-term recovery programs were made possible by generous support from Turkish Airlines.
Morocco Earthquake
Recovery
Since September 2023, Airlink has supported our NGO partner network in the long-term rebuilding and recovery of communities affected by the earthquake in Morocco. Tens of thousands of people remain without consistent access to shelter or hygiene services and facilities.
Over the past two months, Airlink supported passenger travel on behalf of GlobalMedic thanks to generous support from Royal Air Maroc. The GlobalMedic team collaborated with their local partner to distribute Family Emergency Kits (FEK) to vulnerable populations that they have been serving in the Atlas Mountain region over the past year. In doing so, they have consistently provided 34,000 people with access to hygiene supplies, shelter items, and nutrition meals.
Hurricane Debby
Recovery
In the US Southeast, communities continued to recover from Hurricane Debby. Through support from American Airlines and United Airlines, nonprofit partner Inspiritus deployed an additional 4 volunteers to Bulloch County and Valdosta, Georgia, where fallen trees had made homes inaccessible or uninhabitable, to assist with muck-out of homes and chainsaw operations. This work will enable at least 700 people to return to their homes and begin the rebuilding process.
Hurricane Francine
Recovery
In September, Hurricane Francine made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 storm, bringing heavy rainfall and severe flooding to the state. Airlink immediately launched a response, sending in expert volunteers and staff from Community Organization Relief Effort (CORE), who provided chainsaw and muck out services to more than 100 households, and Operation BBQ Relief, who provided nearly 25,000 meals to impacted residents.
Hurricane Helene
Recovery
On September 28, Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida as a Category 4 major hurricane. The storm brought catastrophic rainfall-triggered flooding to Western North Carolina, East Tennessee, and southwestern Virginia, and spawned numerous tornadoes in Florida, as well as inundating many parts of coastal Florida.
In the preceding days, as well as the weeks that followed, Airlink mounted its highest level of response, mobilizing its airline partnerships with United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Alaska Airlines, to send 413 emergency responders from 16 nonprofit partners working across 4 states in the first month of the response. These nonprofit partners, whose specialties range from providing hot meals, childcare, and medical treatment, to mucking out homes inundated by flood water and mud, and even providing access to energy and internet, include: All Hands and Hearts, Child Life Disaster Relief, CORE, Crisis Relief and Recovery, Footprint Project, Fuel Relief Fund, Heart to Heart International, Information Technology Disaster Resource Center, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, Minuteman Disaster Response, Operation BBQ Relief, Project:Camp, Team Rubicon, Toolbank USA, and Waves for Water.
Airlink continues to support long-term recovery needs throughout the Southwest US, and anticipates continuing to support transportation needs for skilled responders for up to two years.
Hurricane Milton
Recovery
Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene pummeled the southeast US, Hurricane Milton made landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm. Airlink immediately mounted a renewed response in hurricane-impacted communities, helping to send an additional 83 responders to Florida with a focus on Sarasota- and Tampa-area communities. So far, Airlink has supported the programs of nonprofit partners All Hands and Hearts, Fuel Relief Fund, Heart to Heart International, Inspiritus, Information Technology Disaster Resource Center, Operation BBQ Relief, Red Lightning, and Team Rubicon, who are working to move communities towards recovery through muck-and-gut and chainsaw operations, emergency medical assistance, providing hot meals, fuel, and internet connectivity.
These programs were made possible through support from United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue Airways. Airlink’s response to this hurricane is ongoing.
Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Uganda – WASH & Health Systems Strengthening
Response
Airlink is committed to supporting health and water, sanitation, and hygiene systems strengthening efforts around the world. These initiatives are even more critical for communities that have been impacted by conflict, natural disasters, or forced displacement. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Airlink’s partner network is active in several countries, including Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Uganda.
Communities in northern Ethiopia are still reeling from the impacts of the 2020 to 2022 war in Tigray. Widespread humanitarian needs in the region have been exacerbated by drought, food insecurity, flooding, ongoing hostilities, and continued displacement. Additionally, access to clean water is a significant challenge, with at least 50% of water supply points and infrastructure destroyed during the conflict. Without reliable access to clean water, communities in Tigray are at increased risk of contracting waterborne and preventable diseases. In response to these needs, Airlink secured transportation for NALA staff to Ethiopia, where NALA maintains initiatives to restore and repair WASH infrastructure, training local community partners to maintain systems as well. Thank you to United Airlines for the support.
In Burkina Faso, more than one in four Burkinabe require urgent humanitarian assistance. Airlink’s partner Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) maintains interventions across multiple sectors to reduce vulnerabilities in eastern Burkina Faso. In support of PUI’s ongoing health systems programming, Airlink coordinated cargo movement for more than three tons of critically needed medicines, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies. These shipments will significantly improve access to healthcare, and strengthen PUI’s emergency response capacity.
In partnership with Veterans Without Orders, with generous support from United Airlines, Airlink coordinated flights for a team to Uganda where they launched capacity building efforts, providing health and WASH specific education to local communities. The team distributed water filtration systems to local residents, ensuring the filters provide a reliable source of clean water.
Sudan Conflict & Regional Displacement Crisis
Response
More than 18 months since the onset of the current conflict in Sudan, over 11 million people are displaced, millions are experiencing severe hunger and are at risk of famine, the healthcare system is close to non-operational, and humanitarian access is limited. Increased humanitarian efforts are essential. In collaboration with the Global Logistics Cluster, and with generous support from the Airbus Foundation, Airlink coordinated a multi-agency charter flight to N’Djamena, Chad.
This concerted effort secured airlift for over 85 tons of lifesaving and critical humanitarian supplies on behalf of the World Food Programme, UNHCR, and UNFPA. Through these partnerships, maternal health supplies, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, non-food items, and mobile storage units arrived in N’Djamena for last mile delivery and distribution in eastern Chad, North Darfur, and East Darfur.