image credit :Emirates
Emirates, in partnership with Dubai Humanitarian, has launched a humanitarian airbridge to deliver emergency aid to Sri Lanka following the widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
The airline said it will provide more than 100 tonnes of cargo capacity free of charge over the next two weeks on its daily passenger flights to Colombo. The initiative is aimed at supporting relief operations for families displaced by severe flooding across several affected regions.
The airbridge follows relief campaigns led by the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in the UAE. Sri Lanka’s Consul General to Dubai and the Northern Emirates has appealed to UAE residents of all nationalities to support ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts.
Alexi Gunasekera urged the UAE’s diverse community to stand with Sri Lanka during the crisis. “We have close to 240,000 Sri Lankans and people from around 200 nationalities living in the UAE. We encourage everyone to come forward and support Sri Lanka at this critical time,” he said.
First relief shipment departs Dubai
The first relief consignment departed Dubai International Airport on Tuesday, December 9, carrying fortified biscuits supplied by the World Food Programme. Further shipments will include food supplies, tarpaulins, and essential relief items provided by the Sri Lankan Consulate in Dubai and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Authorities in Colombo have established a dedicated disaster management unit to coordinate the distribution of incoming aid to communities impacted by the cyclone.
Strong ties with Sri Lanka
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said the initiative reflects the airline’s longstanding relationship with Sri Lanka.
“Emirates is deeply connected to Sri Lanka, and in coordination with Dubai Humanitarian, we are mobilising our infrastructure and operations to provide critical support to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah,” he said.
