For the sixth time, Norwegian in collaboration with UNICEF Norway has sent an aircraft with emergency aid to one of the world’s major crisis zones. This year’s mission will bring relief to children affected by malnutrition and drought in Ethiopia.
Yesterday morning, Norwegian’s newest 737 MAX 8 aircraft was loaded with 10 tonnes of emergency aid from UNICEF’s warehouse in Copenhagen – the world’s largest humanitarian warehouse.
“Finally, together with UNICEF, we can once again fill a plane with emergency aid,”said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.
“I am very happy that we can contribute to getting even more direct emergency aid to children in Ethiopia and, through this, contribute to putting the spotlight on one of the world’s biggest crises.”
Norwegian & UNICEF collaboration
The Norwegian airline is providing the aircraft, crew and key employees to UNICEF for this mission.
There is in fact a significant back history of collaboration between the two parties. The Association between Norwegian and UNICEF Norway is one which stretches back more than 15 years.
Norwegian has supported UNICEF Norway since 2007, and the commitment among both the employees and the company’s customers has strengthened over many years. Various activities to fundraise as well as voluntary efforts in connection with the “Fill a plane” initiatives have secured help for hundreds of thousands of children.
“Thanks to the fantastic efforts of Norwegian’s employees, we can now send a fully loaded plane with medical equipment, medicine and other emergency aid to the Horn of Africa.”
“It means a lot to have employees who are such active supporters,” said Camilla Viken, Secretary General of UNICEF Norway.
About the crisis in Ethiopia
The population in the Horn of Africa is currently experiencing the worst drought in 40 years. Five rainy seasons have failed and the sixth is in danger of failing.
In this region, more than 20 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
“As the world faces humanitarian crises increasing in complexity, scale and frequency, it is more important than ever to reach vulnerable communities with life-saving supplies,” said Etleva Kadilli, Director of UNICEF’s Supply Division.
Kadili points out that the vital supplies include emergency health kits, medicines and midwifery kits, to provide critical care for children and their families in the region.
Summary
in addition to the airlines relief effort, 100 Norwegian employees will also participate in this year’s Fornebuløpet run in Oslo, raising vital funds for UNICEF.
As an established Christmas tradition in Norwegian, the company makes an annual donation to UNICEF on behalf of colleagues rather than distributing Christmas presents.
Since the partnership was established in 2007, Norwegian and the company’s customers have collected more than 50 million Norwegian kroner for UNICEF Norway.
Customers of the Norwegian carrier can choose to give a monetary gift to UNICEF Norway when they buy plane tickets via the company’s website.
