June 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!
Afghanistan – Complex Crisis
Response
Following years of protracted conflicts and natural disasters, millions of individuals in Afghanistan have been deprived of their source of livelihood, thus impacting their ability to access basic healthcare services and other social amenities. Through partnership with Kam Air, Airlink supported the movement of 2,000kgs of medical commodities on behalf of NGO partner INTERSOS, who provides free health care consultation and medications to these affected individuals throughout Afghanistan.
Bangladesh – Refugee Crisis
Response
Since August 2017, millions of Rohingya refugees fled from systematic persecution, discrimination, and other human rights violations in Rakhine State, Myanmar to Bangladesh. Approximately 950,972 Rohingya refugees are sheltered in Bangladesh. With the increasing magnitude of forced displacement resulting from conflict, there is a growing global concern about increasing maternal morbidity and mortality within these displaced populations. Millions of dollars worth of medicine and medical supplies are required to cater to the health needs of the refugees annually. Airlink continues to support the ongoing response to this humanitarian refugee crisis. Through partnerships with Turkish Airlines, Airlink provided airlift for medical supplies that will benefit 30,000 people living in Cox’s Bazar on behalf of MedGlobal.
Hawai’i – Maui Wildfire Recovery
Recovery
With support from airline partners United Airlines and American Airlines, Airlink provided airlift and logistical support for NGO partners Habitat for Humanity and Good360 to move long-term recovery supplies, including Biochar socks used to contain carcinogenic runoff from contaminating the surrounding areas and the ocean, for communities throughout Maui impacted by last year’s wildfires.
Ukraine – Conflict & Displacement
Response
Airlink remains dedicated to providing transportation and logistical aupport to its non-profit partners who are actively addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and its surrounding countries. Over the last two years, Airlink has provided flights for more than 1,100 humanitarian responders and nearly 1,500 tons of aid to the region.
In the last month, Airlink coordinated flights for NGO partners Global Care Force, GlobalMedic, MedGlobal, and International Ministry of Charity Emmanuel who are providing medical and WASH support and distributing crucial aid including food and hygiene supplies. These ongoing programs are made possible with support from American Airlines and United Airlines.
Additionally, Airlink facilitated shipments of essential medical supplies and firefighting equipment with NGO partners Razom, Project CURE, and Ukraine Aid International that will help increase the capacity of frontline hospitals and first responders in Ukraine. With the generous support of American Airlines, Maersk, LOT Polish Air, and SEKO these organizations were able to strengthen and prolong their response in the region.
Brazil — Flooding
Response
On May 3rd, heavy rains and flooding devastated Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, resulting in at least 57 deaths and 373 people missing. The floods displaced more than 620,000 people and led the local government to declare a state of calamity. Within days of the onset of the flooding, Airlink supported flights for a team of six volunteers and professional staff specializing in disaster response on behalf of CADENA to coordinate with local authorities and assess urgent needs, such as clean water and solar lamps for those affected. In partnership with United Airlines, Airlink also coordinated flights for several members of All Hands and Hearts’ DART team to assist with cleanup, rebuilding, and aid distribution. In collaboration with local NGOs, the team delivered emergency kits and installed water filters in prisons and hospitals, impacting an estimated 16,395 people. Airlink efforts in Rio Grande do Sul are ongoing, and we are committed to providing humanitarian support to affected communities.
Haiti — Complex Crisis
Response
In May, with the reopening of the Port-au-Prince Airport, Airlink facilitated the transport of two shipments of essential hygiene kits for Food for the Poor, supported by American Airlines and Amerijet. These kits, containing soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other personal hygiene products, aim to address urgent hygiene needs, reduce disease risk, and improve health in disaster-stricken areas. This shipment comes at a critical time, as more than 80,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes, with 800,000 lacking access to clean water.
U.S.-Mexico Border Crisis
Response
Airlink continued its support for Global Care Force‘s program on the US-Mexico border, delivering healthcare services to migrant populations seeking asylum. Thanks to the support of American Airlines and United Airlines, two medical volunteers were able to provide care to 158 patients across 3 clinics. The goal of Global Care Force’s medical volunteers is to provide free healthcare, ensuring that these vulnerable and marginalized individuals have access to essential medical services. By offering medical assistance, the volunteers aim to alleviate suffering, address urgent health concerns, and enhance the well-being of asylum seekers.
Belize – Disaster Preparedness
Preparedness
Airlink, with support from American Airlines, shipped essential firefighter gear to Belize on behalf of Empact International. Over the past two years, in collaboration with Empact and other partners, training and supplies have significantly expanded the Belize National Fire Service’s capabilities in EMS, Extrication, Building Collapse, Rope Rescue, and more. This program has trained firefighters nationwide, benefiting an estimated 125,000 citizens. The initiative ensures robust rescue capabilities during and after disasters, enhancing the community’s overall emergency response.
Gaza – Humanitarian Crisis
Response
In response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Airlink has coordinated transportation for over 200 tons of critically needed relief supplies in partnership with 14 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, and water, sanitation, and hygiene kits with delivery to emergency response programs throughout the region supporting emergency needs in Gaza, displaced populations in nearby countries, and regional cargo pre-positioning. Despite significant difficulties in cross-border transportation to Gaza, Airlink remains committed to supporting partners who retain access for delivery as well as those who are pre-positioning cargo in nearby areas.
In May, Airlink supported NGO partners World Emergency Relief (WER), Project C.U.R.E., Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), and United Palestinian Appeal (UPA) in the movement of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and baby care items with final destination in Gaza. Over 148,000 Gazans will be served by this cargo. Additionally, Airlink continues to coordinate our airbridge in partnership with Heart to Heart International and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to support the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs, particularly those of women and girls in need of feminine hygiene products.
Airlink continues facilitating passenger travel for NGO partners including International Medical Corps (IMC) and MedGlobal. To date, Airlink has coordinated more than 80 flights for humanitarian responders for this response providing emergency medical care, surge capacity coordination, aid distribution, and more. These programs are made possible with the generous support of Airlink’s airline, logistics, and funding partners.
Lebanon – Complex Crisis & Health Systems Strengthening
Response
Since the Beirut Port explosion in 2020, Airlink has been supporting NGO partners in Lebanon’s long-term recovery and health systems strengthening. In the month of May, Airlink provided logistics and transportation services to Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC) and their local implementing hospitals in Beirut. This shipment of essential medicines will help prevent infant mortality and the development of long term complications during premature births among 4,000 babies. Our ongoing programs in Lebanon would not be possible without continued support from Qatar Airlines.
Tennessee, Iowa, Oklahoma – Severe Weather
Response
In May, the United States experienced a series of severe weather events that significantly impacted multiple states. Tennessee, Iowa, and Oklahoma were among some of the states hit with numerous tornadoes and severe thunderstorms that caused extensive destruction and power outages affecting millions of people. Airlink supported NGO partners Project:Camp and Inspiritus as they provided child-friendly spaces, mental health and psychosocial support, and emergency rebuilding and debris management assistance to the affected communities. With support from American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and American Airlines, Airlink is able to quickly respond to these unprecedented storms.
U.S & Canada – Hurricane Preparedness
Preparedness
The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season is predicted to be one of the most active on record due to unusually warm ocean temperature and La Niña conditions. In partnership with Air Canada and United Airlines, Airlink supported flights for Team Rubicon Canada and Team Rubicon USA’s joint hurricane preparedness exercise, HURREX24. For a week, emergency response teams engaged in a comprehensive simulation of real-time response actions to a hurricane. The training will allow increased coordination between cross-border response team and improved situational awareness. The teams were able to share best practices to ensure efficient operations on the ground during an emergency response.
South Africa – Health Systems Strengthening
Response
In partnership with United Airlines, Airlink supported flights for two Islamic Relief Canada staff members to travel to South Africa for the implementation of their Inspire Program. Staff and volunteers were able to distribute critically needed humanitarian aid including food and hygiene products and provide psychosocial support to communities affected by recent natural disasters. The team conducted household rehabilitation activities and distributed food and hygiene kits, contributing to both physical and emotional support for the families in need. These efforts aimed not only to alleviate immediate hardships but also to empower and build resilience among vulnerable populations in Cape Town and Johannesburg.