Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Singapore-based non-profit organisation Temasek Foundation are partnering with the World Food Programme (WFP) to transport essential medical supplies and other humanitarian items by air around the world amid the coronavirus crisis.
The WFP is the food-assistance branch of the United Nations, and operates a network of passenger and cargo links to ensure supplies are delivered to those on the frontlines of the pandemic.
Since May, WFP has managed more than 800 humanitarian flights to 159 countries, with enough cargo to fill 188 jumbo jets expected to require WFP transport in the coming weeks, according to SIA.
“While demand for WFP Common Services grows every week, resources are stretched incredibly thin and additional support is urgently needed,” said Amer Daoudi, WFP’s Covid-19 corporate response director.
“We are very grateful to Singapore Airlines and Temasek Foundation for stepping up so we can continue delivering life-saving supplies to those who need them most,” he added.
Under this agreement, SIA says it is making ad-hoc charter flights and freight space in its scheduled services available on a cost-recovery basis, with flight costs being covered by a contribution of up to US$6.5 million from the Temasek Foundation.
Chin Yau Seng, senior vice president Cargo, Singapore Airlines, said: “It is a pleasure for SIA to partner with WFP and Temasek Foundation in this meaningful programme. This will allow us to draw on our expertise as a global airfreight provider and use our international network to deliver essential supplies to the points of need and help to make a positive impact on the communities that have been directly affected by Covid-19.”
The airline says that an estimated US$965 million is required to sustain WFP’s Common Services on behalf of the humanitarian and health community.
“To date only 21 percent of this sum has been received. WFP’s passenger and cargo flights are likely to grind to a halt at the end of August if no additional support is received,” reads a statement from SIA.
