SEPANG, MALAYSIA - Malaysian budget air carrier, AirAsia, is transporting one tonne of emergency supplies together with four volunteers to cyclone-hit Myanmar.
This comes as part of AirAsia's efforts to offer air assistance to facilitate the transportation of aid to the country.
The supplies consisting of medical supplies, food, clothing and articles for shelter were collected by United Sikhs Malaysia and will be channelled to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Yangon.
A group of four members including one member, who is a staff of AirAsia from the United Sikhs Malaysia, was the first batch who flew to Bangkok on Wednesday and will be taking another flight to Yangon today.
They are part of the delegation from Malaysia to join the humanitarian aid team to the disaster area caused by Cyclone Nargis.
AirAsia has started providing assistance by flying volunteers and using cargo space to transport emergency supplies to Yangon from its Bangkok hub immediately after the disaster hit Myanmar.
This is part of AirAsia's continuing efforts to deliver aid into the country to assist the people who have been severely affected by the cyclone.
For those who are keen to help including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), aid and humanitarian agencies as well as members of the public from around the region, they may send in their requests to helpmyanmar@airasia.com. Each request will be evaluated on a case-to-case basis and is subjected to seat availability.
British Airways supports UNICEF in response to crisis in Myanmar
Meanwhile, in response to the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, the British Airways Change for Good programme has donated 300,000 pounds ($801,628) to UNICEF’s emergency relief efforts.
The emergency donation will be used by UNICEF to help supply basic equipment such as water purification tablets, drugs, medical supplies, water kits, oral rehydration salts, latrine pans and tarpaulins to the millions left homeless.
Those affected also includes thousands of children, and whilst also meeting basic physical needs, UNICEF has established child-friendly spaces in the camps giving shelter to people.
These spaces offer care and protection for children and young people especially those who have lost or been separated from their families as well as somewhere to carry on their education and in the extreme circumstances lead as normal a life as possible.
Silla Maizey, Head of Corporate Responsibility, said: “This is exactly why we operate the Change for Good programme. Not only does it support long-term programmes that help children all over the world, but it enables British Airways to respond to situations that leave many people dependant on the support of others”.
UNICEF has been working in Myanmar for over 50 years and has been ideally placed to respond rapidly to the situation and ensure supplies and support reaches those who need it the most.
The donation also follows the recent earthquake in China's Sichuan province. British Airways supported the relief effort by flying out members and cargo from the disaster rescue organisation International Rescue Corps.
A team of ten volunteers from the Scottish registered charity flew out this week on flight BA27 to Hong Kong from London Heathrow along with a large number of bags containing specialist equipment.
The Change for Good team is also in touch with UNICEF China to establish whether Change for Good funding can support the relief efforts.
