LONDON – Pakistan has seen catastrophic flash floods tear through the country in recent weeks, due to a record 390mm of rain between June and August. Leaving a third of the country under water, over a thousand killed and over one million homes damaged.
SkyCargo, the Emirates freighter arm, has set up an airbridge between Dubai and Pakistan, and is offering free cargo capacity to be able to send relief aid to people affected by the floods. The airline is freeing up cargo capacity to humanitarian organisations on all fifty three of its Emirates passenger flights to Pakistan.
Critical equipment, supplies food and other emergency goods are being provided from International Humanitarian City (IHC) to five airports across Pakistan – Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Sialkot.
Photo Credit: Emirates Sky Cargo
IHC is a global human aid hub, based in Dubai and founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai. The IHC is located close to Al Maktoum airport and Jebel Ali port for easy links to provide humanitarian relief at short notice around the world.
His Excellency Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Supervision of IHC, said: “Times of crisis are a true test of spirit and once again, we are working with Emirates to respond to a devastating humanitarian crisis, this time in Pakistan, where floods have caused unimaginable losses and damages.”
“We are grateful for the long-standing support of Emirates to the IHC community and its honourable commitment to alleviate the suffering of the victims of these extraordinary floods. Together, we are proud to deliver this vital support to the people of Pakistan.”
Emirates – No Stranger to Support
This isn’t the first time that Emirates have enabled relief support to a country in need. In 2021 materials were flown for free from Dubai to India over a course of three weeks to support with the second wave of Covid-19 in India.
When the Port of Beirut explosions went off in August 2020 and left part of Lebanon decimated, SkyCargo also ramped up its freighter operations to provide 50 flights delivering critical relief and aid to hundreds of thousands of people.
Emirates group Chairman and Chief Executive His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Saeed Al Maktoum said: “Emirates is deeply connected and committed to Pakistan. From our very first flight in 1985 to Karachi until today we’ve steadily grown the mutually beneficial air links that facilitate business, tourism and trade between the UAE and Pakistan.”
“President of the UAE His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum has directed urgent aid to Pakistan, mobilising people and business across the UAE.”
Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the devastating floods and hope that the relief provided by Emirates and SkyCargo can go some way to helping those who need it most.
