This year, Airlink has joined Aviation Festival Asia as the event’s Official Charity Partner. Airlink is a non-profit organisation working with aviation and logistics partners to transport relief workers and emergency supplies for reputable non-governmental organizations (NGOs) responding to rapid-onset disasters and other humanitarian crises around the globe.

In this 15-minute interview, Steve Smith, CEO of Airlink, talked through the charity’s missions, operations, and the crucial role that airline partnerships play in facilitating a rapid humanitarian response.

During the conversation, Smith touched on the “dynamic and generous nature of the [APAC]  aviation sector,” and expressed a desire to grow the charity’s footprint here, building on existing partnerships with airlines including Philippine Airlines, Fiji Airways, Malaysia Airline Group, and many more.

Highlighting some the charity’s historic and ongoing missions, Smith said:

“One of the responses I wanted to highlight is our involvement in supporting children affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles. While the immediate priority in these situations is often to fight the fires, the long-term recovery for families is also important. We worked with an organisation called Project Camp, which partners with Save the Children, to set up safe spaces for children from families who’ve been affected. These children often face trauma, with their homes destroyed, schools shut down, and their families dealing with the aftermath of a disaster. The camp provided a traditional American camp setting where kids could just have fun, be with others, and try to regain some sense of normalcy.”

To learn more about the critical work Airlink does watch the video below or donate here.

 

Topics include:

  1. 15 years of impact and partnerships across NGO sector and Airline industry; what’s next for Airlink and future of partnerships
  2. Recent rapid responses and long-term “anchor” programs
  3. How a ceasefire in Gaza changes logistics planning for an organization like Airlink, expectations and hopes

 

 

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