Emirates makes huge difference in peoples' lives of 12 countries with Skywards Miles
Because of customer donations, the Emirates Airline Foundation used an astounding 132 million Skywards Miles this past year to positively impact the lives and livelihoods greater than 90,000 people, mainly children, moving into probably the most impoverished communities worldwide. In the same period - from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 - the Foundation also donated more than AED 6.5 million to 22 projects in 12 countries. THE BUILDING BLOCKS supported over 60,000 persons in Bangladesh through regular medical missions at remote char areas in North Bengal and in refugee camps.
The Foundation, a essential heartbeat of the airline established in 2003, routinely supports 32 projects and non-government organisations (NGOs) in 18 countries worldwide through customer donations, corporate sponsorships and Emirates funds. Support ranges from absorbing all twelve-monthly running expenses and building infrastructure to running feeding and medical programmes, paying salaries and covering other ad hoc expenses.
The Foundation also attracts Emirates’ customers to donate Skywards Miles, small change inflight, and funds on its website.
Last year, the Foundation used 132 million donated Skywards Miles to aid travel for 35 NGOs on more than 50 medical missions; four NGOs on five engineering missions; and one NGO on two educational missions. The most notable five countries with the largest beneficiaries were: Bangladesh - more than 66,000 people; South Africa - around 7,900; Uganda - around 5,500; Tanzania - around 2,900; and Ghana - 2,000.
Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline and Chairman, Emirates Airline Foundation, said, “Emirates always searches for meaningful ways in which we can contribute to the neighborhood and global communities we serve, whether by sponsoring world-class sports and cultural events, supporting trade and tourism, or community causes. The Emirates Airline Foundation is our passion project, and we use like-minded partners and NGOs globally who try to reach out to the neglected, ignored, and the poorest communities on the planet."
“Instead of just donating food to feed the hungry, the building blocks provides children with holistic care - including food, clothing, shelter, medical support and an education - that transforms lives, creates livelihoods, helps sustain communities, and brings about a fairer, more just world. And we are helping our customers hook up to these communities if they donate funds or their Skywards Miles. Many people are welcome to become listed on us upon this journey.”
Medical missions
Last year, the Foundation supported the complete travel, logistics and free baggage allowance of 676 doctors, nurses and medical staff from NGOs. The doctors travelled from Europe, USA, Canada and Australia to conduct a large number of free life-saving surgeries, consultations and screenings, and in addition training for local medical staff. Doctors treated deep burns and craniofacial deformities, conducted cardiovascular and reconstructive surgery, offered orthopaedic and obstetric medical support. These have directly helped 76,900 children and adults lead more fulfilling lives.
Several medical missions were conducted in remote villages and corners of the world, with Bangladesh being an excellent example. At the floating Emirates Friendship Hospital, 44,000 persons from remote, impoverished char regions of Kurigram and Gaibandha in the northern the main country received primary and secondary health care. Similar support and services were extended to over 21,600 refugees. Around 4,800 persons in Uganda also received primary care.
The Emirates Airline Foundation has been supporting the Emirates Friendship Hospital in Bangladesh since 2008, by covering operational expenses and bringing overseas medical missions to take care of a variety of illnesses. Within the last financial year, the building blocks issued 195 airfare tickets to medical missions planing a trip to Bangladesh from USA, UK, France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy and other countries.
Engineering missions
Engineers Without Borders - three missions from USA and one from Germany - successfully completed water supply and rural electrification projects, installed solar panels and set up computer lab classrooms. These missions, led by 36 specialists, benefited practically 2,700 people’s health insurance and livelihoods in Uganda, Ghana and Kenya.
Educational missions
THE BUILDING BLOCKS positively impacted the lives greater than 10,300 children and 340 teachers when it supported two educational missions - someone to South Africa and the other to Tanzania. Warwick in Africa not merely taught children maths and English in secondary schools, but also trained local teachers to benefit children’s learning for the long-term.
The Emirates Airline Foundation is a non-profit charity organisation which aims to increase the standard of living for children, irrespective of geographical, political, or religious boundaries.
