British Airways Provides East Africa Relief Flight
Released on: August 30, 2011, 6:09 pm
Author:
British Airways
Industry: Travel
British Airways has flown a relief aircraft full of emergency
supplies and equipment to victims of the food crisis in East Africa,
where over half a million people are directly at risk of starvation.
A Boeing 747 freighter with capacity for up to 110 tonnes of cargo, flew to Ethiopia
on Friday, August 12, carrying aid from Oxfam and UNICEF.
Following severe droughts, resulting in the worst food crisis the world has seen for
20 years, the two charities are among those working in the region to bring
much-needed relief to over 12 million people at risk from famine, disease and
drought across Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia.
The aircraft carried 5,000 meters of pipe from Oxfam, which will be used to supply
much-needed water to the Dolo Ado refugee camp in Ethiopia, as well as vital
emergency food and medical supplies from UNICEF.
British Airways' customers are also playing their part. For two weeks from August
1, all donations onboard every British Airways flight were going to the Disasters
Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal for East Africa.
British Airways began helping the relief effort by carrying over seven and a half
tonnes of water tanks, tapstands, pipes and water pumps from Oxfam as free cargo on
a scheduled flight to Nairobi.
The airline also gave Oxfam free flights to Kenya to get 40 relief experts into the
worst affected areas as quickly as possible.
Keith Williams, British Airways' chief executive, said: "The worst drought in 50
years means the lives of millions of people hang in the balance. The generosity of
our customers will make a real and tangible difference to those in desperate need.
"It is vital that we get aid from charities like Oxfam and UNICEF to the most
seriously affected areas across East Africa. We want to do what we can to help those
caught up in this terrible crisis."
Barbara Stocking, Oxfam's chief executive, said: "We have been moved to see the
generosity of the British public over the last month and Oxfam is now reaching over
a million people in East Africa. But there is still much more to be done.
"British Airways is showing incredible hands-on support for the relief effort,
delivering vital supplies straight to where they are so desperately needed and
flying our emergency staff into the region to work on the ground.
"Not only is their support worth over £250,000 in cost savings to Oxfam but the
donations from their customers to the DEC will help fund even more life-saving work
in the region."
David Bull, UNICEF UK's executive director, said: "When children are facing
famine, because crops have failed, because food is scarce, it’s time to share a
little of what we’ve got. British Airways has been extremely generous in sharing its
cargo space.
"This means that UNICEF can buy more emergency food supplies and can deliver life
saving food to hungry children much faster. In South Somalia alone, 250 children are
dying every day.
"British Airways responded to UNICEF’s appeal and donated their cargo space
travelling to the Horn of Africa. We urge all airlines to follow this fantastic
example and share whatever they can."
- Ends -
About British Airways:
British Airways plc offers a wide range of worldwide destinations - including flights to Lagos and holidays in Cancun, as well as flights to Delhi, holidays in Marrakech and holidays in Venice. Customers
can save time and money with ba.com when booking ATOL protected holiday packages,
ATOL number is 5985. Passengers are offered added peace of mind to their holiday
plans and the security of travelling with British Airways. British Airways plc
constantly seeks to exceed customers' expectations, both in terms of the value for
money and quality of the service provided.
Press Contact:
Michael Johnson
Waterside
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth
Middlesex
UB7 0GB
02087385100
www.ba.com
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