The German humanitarian aid agency, Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen, or Wings of Help, is coordinating the largest airlift of humanitarian relief supplies from Germany to the Horn of Africa, where 12.4 million people are in need of emergency assistance. The supplies, which include approximately 90 tons of vital medicines, tents, and nutrient-dense foods, will be transported to Kenya on a cargo flight donated by Lufthansa Airlines, and will be distributed in partnership with International Medical Corps and its teams on the ground in Kenya and Somalia.
“International Medical Corps is deeply grateful to Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen, Lufthansa, International Relief Teams, Dr. Gerhard Gensthaler, Dr. Marcus Schmitt, Mr. Christian Poppe, and all those who came together to make this lifesaving shipment of supplies possible,” says Nancy A. Aossey, President & CEO of International Medical Corps. “This timely donation will allow us to restore the health and well-being of thousands of children, and relieve the suffering of families impacted by this devastating drought and famine.”
“Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen is thrilled to be partnering with International Medical Corps on this critical airlift of lifesaving supplies,” says Frank Franke, President & CEO of Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen. “This effort is a continuation of our important collaboration in Haiti, Pakistan, and Japan, in which we will partner again to bring relief to those affected by these tragic circumstances.”
The supplies, which are expected to leave Germany on August 17, will first be distributed in the drought affected areas in the Eastern province of Kenya (in Isiolo); in the Rift Valley (Samburu and Laikipia); and Coast Province (Tana river and Tana Delta).
The airlift to the Horn of Africa is the latest in a long partnership between Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen and International Medical Corps in responding to humanitarian crises across the globe, including the 2010 Haiti earthquake, 2010 Pakistan floods, and 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami.
More on Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen:
Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen (Wings of Help) supports humanitarian organizations worldwide through the coordination of air transport for rescue workers, supplies and patients. For more information, visit www.luftfahrtohnegrenzen.de.
More on International Relief Teams:
International Relief Teams is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that assists victims of disaster, poverty and neglect. For more than 23 years of serving those in need with efficiency and integrity, the organization focuses on four core areas – medical training, surgical outreach, health promotion, and disaster relief – that combine short-term relief efforts and long-term programs to save and change lives. International Relief Teams had total revenues of $26.9 million in 2010. For more information visit: www.irteams.org.