June 2022 Partner Update: Airlink’s May OperationsÂ
- World Refugee Day Webinar: In honor of this year’s World Refugee Day, Airlink is hosting a webinar to will explore the work of NGO partners CADENA, Global Disaster Response, and Humanitarian Action, Global Response Management, and Medical Teams International in supporting refugees around the world. To register for the event on Friday, June 17th, click here.
- 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season: The 2022 Atlantic Season has officially started. Learn what forecasters are predicting for an above-average season, how Airlink continues to support recovery efforts in Louisiana from last year’s Hurricane Ida, and how you can best help in advance of the next major hurricane. To read the blog, click here.
Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation Collaborates with Consortium of NGOs to Deliver Vital Medical Aid to Ukrainians: The consortium, consisting of Airlink, ADRA International, Project HOPE, and World Hope International, will implement a three-month aid distribution program providing medical supplies to healthcare facilities in Ukraine and communities hosting refugees in the Republic of Moldova. For more information, click here.
- Flightpath with Project C.U.R.E.: Airlink President and CEO Steve Smith talked with Dr. Douglas Jackson, CEO of Project C.U.R.E., about the challenges the humanitarian community is facing in supporting Ukrainian refugees and displaced people. To watch the full episode, click here.
Recovery: Philippines – Super Typhoon Rai /Â Tropical Storm Megi
Long-term recovery efforts remain underway after both Super Typhoon Rai and Tropical Storm Megi hit the Philippines. The two major storms and the subsequent landslides and floods disrupted access to food, drinking water, and other necessities for thousands of people. With the support of Qatar Airways, Airlink connected NGO partner Water Survival Box with ADRA Philippines in order to distribute 200 water survival boxes to affected families. The kits contain essential survival items needed after major flooding, including water filters, basic shelter, simple tools, and health and hygiene items. The movement provided families with access to clean water and enhanced community resiliency in preparation for future storms.
Response: Ukraine – War and Refugee Crisis
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine passes the three-month mark, conditions for civilians throughout the country continue to deteriorate.  According to OCHA, 15.7 million Ukrainians are in need of humanitarian aid as the conflict escalates. Needs are especially acute in southern and eastern Ukraine, where fierce fighting has been concentrated, putting civilian lives at risk. Conflict continues to fuel internal displacement and an exodus of refugees, as the region grapples with Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II.Â
Hostilities and infrastructure damage have led to heavy disruption in supply chains, causing communities unreliable access to medical supplies, food, WASH supplies, and additional essential items. Airlink has stood up a robust response to meet the needs of those affected by the conflict, thanks to the assistance of our partners at Aeromexico, American Airlines, Air Canada, Amerijet, British Airways, Flexport.org, SEKO Logistics, United Airlines, UPS Foundation and Virgin Atlantic.
During the month of May, Airlink transported over 61 tons of humanitarian cargo across 12 shipments of medical supplies, hospital equipment, family emergency kits, and other essential humanitarian supplies. In addition, Airlink has supported flights for 320 responders to date. Those deployed include doctors, nurses, psychologists, fuel assessment experts, telecommunication experts, logistics specialists, and team leaders.Â
- Fuel shortages across Ukraine further complicate humanitarian responses, making it increasingly difficult for NGOs on the ground to get aid to where it is needed most. Airlink coordinated flights for members of Fuel Relief Fund‘s team, who have facilitated the purchase and delivery of over 12,000 liters of fuel to power vehicles transporting emergency personnel, delivering aid, and conducting civilian evacuations. Airlink additionally supported a shipment for NGO partner Footprint Project of power generators to support hospitals serving civilian populations.
- More than 13 million people across Ukraine are in need of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support. NGO partner Water Mission is coordinating with local actors to fill this gap in clean water access. Airlink coordinated the shipment of Living Water Treatment Systems to support communities where the water infrastructure was directly affected by conflict. Once operational, the systems will provide consistent water access for 10,000 people.Â
- Health systems in Ukraine continue to be overwhelmed due to conflict, mass displacement, and complications in the supply of essential medical items. Airlink supported flights for medical personnel with Global Outreach Doctors, International Medical Relief, Global Response Management, Medical Teams International, and Disaster Tech Lab, enhancing the capacity of local healthcare systems. In addition, Airlink addressed the lack of supply by coordinated shipments for NGO partners ADRA International, Project C.U.R.E., MedShare, and Nova Ukraine, sending 90 skids of medical supplies for hospitals in need.Â
- Airlink continues to support shipments of hygiene kits, medical supplies, and essential humanitarian items with International Ministry of Charity Emmanuel to support an orphanage for children with disabilities in the city of Znamenka, Kirovograd in central Ukraine.
- In crisis settings, Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals are uniquely impacted. Those who are unable to evacuate are cut off from the sirens and access to vital situational information. Airlink provided passenger support for NGO partner, Off-The-Grid Missions, who is distributing items that assist members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community to communicate in unstable environments, such as solar lights and mobile charges, as well as basic humanitarian items.
- Airlink continues to provide passenger and cargo logistical support to programs assisting Ukrainian refugees in surrounding countries. NGO partners ADRA International, CORE, GlobalMedic, IsraAID, and World of Giving continue their programs by providing food, water, hygiene items, first aid kits, and other NFIs in collaboration with local partners in Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Moldova.
Airlink will continue to support refugee programs and response efforts to Ukraine for as long as airlift and logistics is needed by its nonprofit partners.
Response: Mexico – Migrant Crisis
Tens of thousands of asylum seekers continue to await immigration procedures in camps along the US-Mexico border, without access to medical care or basic services. Airlink is proud to have supported for flights for seven Global Response Management medical volunteers thanks to the support of American Airlines. In addition to primary care, their programs assist migrants to acquire necessary medical parole letters that assist in asylum cases. These volunteers are vital in filling the gaps in health care within asylum communities in Matamoros and Reynosa, Mexico.
Response: Venezuela – Health Systems Strengthening
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has left millions of the country’s residents in critical need of assistance. The healthcare system has been significantly impacted by the ongoing crises, limiting access to basic medical care and creating an environment for the resurgence of preventable diseases. In response to these needs, Airlink coordinated the movement of critically needed medicines on behalf of International Medical Corps. The cargo will be used by International Medical Corps’ supported health centers and mobile medical teams to continue their programs providing preventative, diagnostic, and curative services to Venezuelans in need.Â
Response: New Mexico, USA –Â Wildfire Response
Wildfires fueled by dry conditions and high winds burned more than 600,000 acres across New Mexico. The 2022 fire season is already one of the worst in the state’s history. The Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon fire has consumed over 350 homes and buildings, forcing evacuations. Thanks to the support of American Airlines, Airlink supported flights for our responding NGO partners, Project:Camp and Disaster Services Corporation, SVDP-USA. Project:Camp staff members ran a pop-up day camp to provide trauma-informed care to evacuated children. Disaster Services Corporation, SVDP-USA set up a cash assistance program, distributing gift cards to 100 survivors affected by the fires.
Recovery: Louisiana, USA – Hurricane Ida Recovery
Thanks to the support of United Airlines, Airlink continues to support NECHAMA’s and International Orthodox Christian Charites‘ long-term recovery efforts in Louisiana. Volunteers are focusing on supporting homeowners in the area that were heavily affected by Hurricane Ida last year, by providing mucking-and-gutting and tree work for affected homeowners. This long-term recovery work is essential for preparedness efforts in anticipation of the 2022 hurricane season.
Preparedness: Louisiana, USA – Disaster Preparedness
Airlink coordinated flights for Empact Northwest’s swift water/flood response team thanks to the support of American Airlines. The goal of the training was to prepare local rescue groups with basic swift water rescue techniques. The training, held in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, prepared citizen responders to work alongside local agencies and act as a force multiplier in local agencies and facilitate non-emergency transports, road clearing, rescue team transportation, and spontaneous volunteer coordination in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season.
Response: The Gambia – Increased Conflict and Displacement
2,250 hygiene kits arrived in The Gambia for distribution by ChildFund International. Recent clashes between the Senegalese military and separatists in southern Senegal’s Casamance region have put intense pressure on the country’s neighbor, The Gambia. At least 6,000 people have been displaced in both countries along their shared borders, with Gambian families opening their homes for refugees seeking shelter. These hygiene kits will be distributed to families and villages hosting refugees and internally displaced people, where resources have been constrained.Â
Recovery: Nigeria – Health Systems Strengthening
With support from United Airlines, Airlink coordinated flights for NetHope’s team to launch its disaster preparedness program in Ghana. The goal of the program is to increase resilience and strengthen disaster response by holding disaster telecommunications training programs, establishing emergency working groups, and prepositioning Emergency Telecommunications equipment including a solar power kit, a satellite terminal and required hardware, and a network management system.Â
