Page 13 - LUA November December 2024 Issue for website

food and shelter — pushing already Stephanie Steege, Director, Humanitarian
marginalised communities deeper into Programmes, Airlink. "In complex
crisis, " says Unicef. humanitarian emergencies such as those
The 2024 Global Humanitarian to which Airlink is responding in Sudan,
Overview (GHO) requires $49 billion to Lebanon and Gaza, closed or constrained
assist 187.6 million of the people in need commercial airspace becomes a challenge.
across 73 countries through 43 coordinated With limited in-kind airlift resources
response plans. In Sub-Saharan Africa, available, Airlink turns to creative solutions
More than $1.7 billion was reported where we can utilise available in-kind
during the month of September, bringing Airlink’s regional support from our airline partner network to
GHO funding to $16.21 billion, eight response capabilities leverage their support.
percent less than the same time last year, are driven by our "This might include free of charge cargo
according to the update from the United movement into Cairo where Airlink secures
Nations Office for the Coordination of dedicated airline a commercial rate from Cairo to Port
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). partner network Sudan. While still securing significant cost
"While it is early to predict end- savings for NGO partners, this is dependent
year funding and coverage of GHO including Astral on available funding as well.
requirements, analysis of trends and Aviation, Royal Air "In Sub-Saharan Africa, Airlink’s
donor intentions indicate it is unlikely that Maroc, Turkish Airlines regional response capabilities are
the 2024 funding will reach the amount and Qatar Airways. driven by our dedicated airline partner
recorded for 2023 ($25.11 billion) and that network including Astral Aviation,
coverage will remain below the previous STEPHANIE STEEGE Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines and
five-year average of 55 per cent." AIRLINK Qatar Airways. We are grateful for their
Seen in this context, the role of logistics continued commitment to supporting
players - airlines, forwarders and donors - underfunded emergencies, which often communities in crisis in 2024."
keep increasing with every passing year. overlaps with more complex Qatar Airways also renewed
"Key challenge is funding for aid environments and fewer its partnership with
transportation to overlooked and commercial carriers," says the United

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