Cebu Pacific is the latest addition to the global network of airlines and logistic partners supporting the disaster relief nonprofit organization, Airlink. Their mission is to assist communities in crisis by responding quickly and effectively to disasters.
Airlink is a global organization dedicated to providing critical aid during crisis situations. They harness the power of aviation and the robust support of logistic partners to ensure aid reaches those in need swiftly. They work in collaboration with over 130 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide. Their efficient operation has been made possible by partnering with more than 50 airlines, one of the recent ones being Cebu Pacific. Airlink, since its inception in 2009, has provided aid to more than 70 countries, moving over three million kilos of supplies, and transporting over 10,000 responders.
Workshop for Disaster Preparedness
In a recent event, Airlink, together with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), conducted a two-day workshop at the PDRF Emergency Operations Center in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines. The workshop centered on logistics preparedness for nonprofits, especially those responding to humanitarian crises in Asia and the Pacific.
Alex Reyes, Cebu Pacific’s Chief Strategy Officer, stated, “Cebu Pacific has been actively involved in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. We firmly believe that air transport allows for an efficient and quick mobilization of necessary resources, both personnel and cargo, in responding to disasters or crises. We are proud to be one of the key partners and sponsors of the APAC workshop organized by Airlink for capacity-building towards disaster resiliency and response in the Asia-Pacific region.”
The workshop was attended by over two dozen representatives from 19 Airlink NGO partners, including Anamatangi Polynesian Voices, Bayat Foundation, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, and others. It was the first such post-pandemic event, allowing the NGO partners to reconnect, network, and learn from each other’s experiences.
Efforts of Cebu Pacific in Humanitarian Response
Cebu Pacific, staying true to its mission of providing humanitarian assistance, transported water filter kits to various typhoon-struck locations in the Philippines in 2022. They partnered with Waves for Water, their long-standing partner, to facilitate this effort. These water filters are crucial in preventing water-borne diseases and ensuring access to clean water, particularly after typhoons.
During Typhoons Odette (2021) and Agaton (2022), Cebu Pacific leveraged its wide domestic network to transport water filters to seven typhoon-struck provinces, among them Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and others.
Their continuous efforts have ensured the delivery of 1.81 tonnes (1,447 units) worth of water filters to the communities in need.
Cebu Pacific also transported more than 21 million doses of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines from January to December 19, 2022, to 31 destinations. The airline has delivered more than 80 million COVID-19 vaccine doses across the country since 2021.
Cebu Pacific’s commitment to providing aid and support to communities in times of crisis goes beyond disaster response. They have also played a significant role in repatriating fellow countrymen and supporting vulnerable children. In 2022, Cebu Pacific assisted in the repatriation of 385 distressed Filipinos from Beirut and Kuwait via a charter flight arranged by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
In a collaborative initiative with UNICEF Change for Good, Cebu Pacific raised over PHP 10 million (US$178,000) in 2022 to improve the lives of children in need. This initiative has been ongoing since 2016, collecting spare change from passengers to fund the cause.
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