Qatar Airways has signed a formal partnership agreement with Airlink in which it has pledged to transport 200 tonnes of humanitarian aid over the next two years, free of charge.

The agreement will benefit Airlink’s nonprofit partners and will provide assistance to communities globally who have been impacted by disasters and humanitarian crises.

As part of the agreement, Airlink, its non-profit partner AFYA Foundation and Qatar Airways conducted their first mission: transporting more than 64,000lbs of soap to Botswana.

The move was undertaken to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Meanwhile, UNICEF and the WHO informed that 3bn people around the world do not have access to hand washing facilities with water and soap at home.

Steven J Smith, Airlink’s president and chief executive, commented: “We are delighted to announce this new partnership between Airlink and Qaa”r Airways.

“The 200 tons of freight space is a generous donation that will help fragile communities now, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and in future disasters.

“It greatly extends our reach and that of our nonprofit partners for years to come.”

Guillaume Halleux, chief officer of cargo at Qatar Airways, added: “As the largest airfreight carrier in the world, we are proud to do our part as a global corporate citizen to support the important and essential work of nonprofit organizations like Airlink.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has shown how essential air freight is to responding to crises and we are pleased to support the work of governments and NGOs around the globe, transporting essential supplies to places where they are needed.

“We look forward to working with Airlink and expand this work, providing a helping hand and relief to communities around the world.”

Airlink supports more than 130 aid organisations through its work with airlines.

Celebrating its 10th year of operation in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Airlink transported 6.5m pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to vulnerable communities around the world.

Airlink and Qatar Airways have previously worked together: in April 2019, as communities in Mozambique and neighboring countries sought to recover from the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai, 19,000lbs of aid was dispatched to  communities in need, “thanks to the generosity of Qatar Airways working in conjunction with Airlink’s partner nonprofits Save the Children and MedShare”.

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