Our Impact
Flights flown into Haiti
Responders sent
Flights flown into Haiti
in transportation provided
Our Response
On January 12, 2010 at 5:22pm local time, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the highly populated area of Department Ouest, Haiti, approximately 16 miles from Port au Prince. By January 24, more than 50 aftershocks measuring a magnitude of 4.5 or greater had hit the area. Over the course of those 12 days, the human impact was great; the UN and USAID estimates that more than 230,000 people were killed, 300,000 more were injured, and a total of 1.5 million people were displaced as a result of the earthquakes. With the seaports closed and many roads made impassable by the destruction, getting water, food, temporary shelter, and medical supplies to those in need was difficult.
Following the initial earthquake, Airlink went into action for the first time. Starting with a 39,000 pound shipment of goods from Save the Children and Shelterbox flown in by Amerijet, Airlink went on to coordinate over 40 shipments of humanitarian aid in the first 13 months following the disaster.
Airlink joined forces with UPS, Partners in Health (PIH), and Invacare Ohio to move a shipment of oxygen container medical equipment from Ohio to Haiti. UPS was able to fully donate the move door-to-door from Ohio to Haiti.
Airlink partnered with Sage Popovich to move a shipment of medical supplies and food on a donated Challenger 601 Medevac plane. Three critical patients were flown out of Port-au-Prince on the return flight and brought to hospitals in Fort Lauderdale, FL, New Haven, CT, and Gary, IN, where they received pro bono treatment.
By February 24, 2010, Airlink had partnered with 9 airlines and 10 NGOs to facilitate more 40 flights to bring doctors, nurses, first response teams, and aid supplies, including food, medical supplies, and emergency shelter, to respond to the great need of the Haitian people.
Response Partners
Haiti Complex Crisis
Current Situation Overview
After more than three years without a reported case of cholera in Haiti, national authorities confirmed 2 new cases of the disease in Port-au-Prince on 17 October, 2022. This outbreak is a major concern in the country, which is currently affected by ongoing gang violence. As of 16 January, 2023, there were 24,451 suspected cholera cases, and the death toll continues to rise. Healthcare systems are overwhelmed, and supply chains for medicines and medical supplies have been almost completely blocked due to the seaport’s closure. Many NGOs are now left without viable, affordable options to send large amounts of necessary supplies for the emergency response.
Airlink and the United States Agency for International Development Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) have stood up a humanitarian air bridge to address the severe logistics challenges related to delivering health and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) supplies related to the treatment and prevention of cholera.
Air Bridge Standard Operating Procedures
Our Impact
Tons of humanitarian aid delivered
NGO partners supported
Response Partners
