UAE companies launch disaster aid initiative

A humanitarian initiative that will deliver aid to disaster-stricken areas worldwide was announced at the Dubai Airshow.

The UAE’s Maximus Air Cargo, Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) have joined forces to launch Care by Air. Supporting members included the UAE Red Crescent and the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP).

It is expected that more partner organisations will soon join up, including airlines, cargo companies, commercial parties, auditors, oil and gas companies  and airports.

Care by Air will provide cargo services to relief and humanitarian organisations across its network of partners and businesses, ensuring the distribution of aid and vital supplies in times of need.

According to Iata figures, only 70 per cent of the maximum cargo loading capacity is used around the world. This means four million tonnes of empty space, every week, every year in more than 3,400 airports across 220 countries.

If just 0.0003 per cent of this space were to be filled, then five million people in need could be fed for a day.

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