Our Impact
NGO partners supported
Responder Flights Provided
Aid Supplies Delivered (tons)
Current Situation Overview
The war in Ukraine has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, and the overall situation continues to deteriorate across the country. Nearly two years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the conflict is intensifying, and the toll on civilians remains devastating. Since December 29, 2023 there has been an escalation in airstrikes across Ukraine, targeting densely populated cities and towns. This has worsened the humanitarian situation, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power, water, and basic resources in the middle of harsh winter conditions.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports 14.6 million people require humanitarian assistance in Ukraine in 2024.
In addition, 4 million people – including nearly 1 million children – are still internally displaced across Ukraine. Prolonged displacement has put many in highly difficult scenarios, coping with loss of job or income. This is the largest displacement of European citizens since the Second World War, and women and children account for the majority of refugees. 6 million are living abroad as refugees.
Ukraine’s health infrastructure is also significantly damaged, leaving operational facilities under-resourced and overwhelmed by patient needs.
To send the right aid to the right place at the right time, NGOs utilize Airlink’s support to overcome logistical and transport challenges. Airlink remains committed to ensuring humanitarian cargo is being moved to correctly match needs on the ground without causing surplus, delays, or waste.
Our Response
Airlink swiftly activated its Europe Regional Response Plan following the Russian Federation’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022.
In the first month of our response, Airlink transported more than 100 tons of humanitarian cargo, including medical supplies, hospital equipment, hygiene kits, and items for children. To date, we have now mobilized 320 cargo movements into Europe, including four charters to move lifesaving medical supplies.
We have also supported the transportation of nearly 800 responders to Poland, Moldova, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. Those deployed include doctors, nurses, psychologists, fuel assessment experts, telecommunication experts, logistics specialists, and team leaders.
Within Ukraine, hostilities continue to disrupt logistics infrastructure, supply chain, and humanitarian corridors. Airlink is supporting the humanitarian community to identify efficient and effective delivery of aid and the transport of personnel.
This includes fulfilling requests for humanitarian cargo delivery that will not cause additional bottlenecks in neighboring countries or strain local resources, and to make certain appropriate consignees are arranged on the ground. We continue to assess changing airspace restrictions and identify flight options on commercial carriers in the region.
Airlink will sustain operations for as long as airlift and logistics support is needed by our network of 200+ nonprofit partners. For this response, 66 partners have been provided with free airlift and logistical solutions.
Read More About Airlink’s Response
Impact Your World Report Highlights Airlink
CNN’s Impact Your World has compiled a list of donation opportunities to help humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
USAID Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) Endorses Airlink
Send cash donations to reputable relief organizations working on the ground. They can make the most difference and save the most lives.
First Responders Head Overseas to Help Ukraine
The volunteers will get as close as they can to Ukraine. They’re catching a flight through a program called Airlink, based in D.C. Airlink takes donated miles and cash from people and businesses and uses it to fly help wherever it’s needed.
American Airlines to Support Humanitarian Efforts in Ukraine
All AAdvantage miles donated to American’s Miles for Social Good program during the month of March will be directed to Airlink to help transport physicians and relief workers to Eastern Europe to assist with humanitarian relief in Ukraine.
GE donating $4.5 mln to Ukraine relief efforts – internal memo
The company, through its foundation, will make a $400,000 donation to provide immediate relief to refugees in need of emergency cash. It will donate another $100,000 to Airlink, a humanitarian relief organization that connects airlines and pre-qualified non-profits to help communities in crisis.
U.S. Airlines Are Supporting Relief Efforts in Ukraine — How Passengers Can Help
United Airlines is encouraging passengers to donate either money or their MileagePlus miles, which the company would then match up to $100,000 and 5 million miles, the carrier shared with Travel + Leisure this week. The funds will then be distributed to several nonprofits, including Airlink, which transports relief workers and emergency supplies.
‘Lend Your Heart to Ukraine’ campaign kicks off
“Airlink serves all of those countries, serves dozens of NGOs, and you can’t serve the people if you can’t get the service providers and the whatever it is — food, water, medical aid, whatever — to the sites, and that is what Airlink does,” Kosman said, “and that’s what drew me to them because they affected everyone in every country that is serving the refugees of Ukraine.”
Our Partners
