Regional Response Framework

Airlink’s Regional Response Framework makes effective connections to empower collaborative response in each region, whenever and wherever a disaster occurs.

Airlink’s Regional Response Framework is designed to inform a timely response to humanitarian crises and provide relief to communities in crisis. The Framework breaks the globe into six regions – Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, North America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Six corresponding plans serve as a resource for Airlink as well as its aviation and NGO partners to inform and act quickly.

Through consistent engagement during non-disaster periods, the regional plans build a common understanding of the coordination and aid delivery resources available, fostering more planned and predictable service to NGOs, aviation partners, and people in need.

Each plan works to identify…

A summary of the highest-risk countries and nature of threats within each region.

A collaborative partner network representing the aviation and humanitarian sectors.

Key operating constraints and logistical considerations such as critical air hubs, customs clearance, geography, and violence/insecurity.

Airlink’s concept of operations, including deployment of an Emergency Response Team, as well as activation of passenger and cargo support, and fixed-wing or rotary aircraft.

Contingency planning for potential eventualities; for instance, when an call for assistance is not made but humanitarian need exists.

Commitments of resources from regional donors to empower timely responses around the world.

Benefits to airlines from participation in the regional plans

A core tenet of these plans is to help guide airlines during humanitarian crises.  Through preparedness planning, situational analysis, pre-identified response partners and a focus on continual improvement, these plans will ensure airlines make the most impact with their unique capabilities. Specifically, airlines will receive the following benefits:

  • Access to credible humanitarian needs from a trusted, global network of NGOs.
  • Connection to and collaboration with peers at other airlines to develop a common understanding.
  • Timely briefings on disaster response activity and pressing needs.
  • Participation in regional plan briefings and/or exercises.
  • Communications support from Airlink, including the use the Airlink logo and recognition of participation.
  • Opportunity for Chief Executive Officer to join the Airlink Governors Council

How to participate in a regional plan

A key element of the Regional Response Framework is understanding and obtaining a forward commitment on each participant’s capabilities and resources in a given disaster scenario. With that in mind, the regional plans will consist of three core elements:

  1. Pre-committed air capacity (e.g. tickets, vouchers, miles, flight credit, cargo capacity, etc.)
  2. Pre-committed financial support (e.g. direct financial contributions, crowdfunding campaigns)
  3. Pre-committed NGO response capabilities (e.g. response teams or first-wave supplies)

While we understand that each airline’s network and capabilities are different, we would welcome a chance to discuss how your organization can best contribute to response efforts around the world. Most airline partners choose to work with Airlink via a memorandum of understanding (MoU) or other formal agreement that captures not only your commitment of capacity and/or direct financial support, but also the ways that Airlink can help you promote your contribution to humanitarian relief.