Over 82 tons of medical supplies and equipment
needed to help victims still dealing with the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan have
reached the Philippines after Virgin Atlantic Airways
offered its support to UNICEF and Save the Children.
With four of its aircraft heading to the
Philippines for routine maintenance work, Virgin Atlantic approached the
charities to offer the cargo capacity on the flights free of charge. Shipments
destined for UNICEF staff on the ground in the Philippines and the country’s
Department of Health included hospital equipment, water purification tablets
and life-saving drugs to treat malaria, bacterial infections and diarrhoea. The
flights also carried kits for midwives to help mothers give birth safely and
protect their babies in the first months of life, crucial drugs and medicines,
including amoxicillin to help fight off bacterial infections, and medical
equipment that helped Save the Children re-equip and run mobile health units
and hospitals in affected areas.
Simon Porter, Virgin Atlantic Cargo’s
Operations Manager, Heathrow, said: “It is six months since Typhoon Haiyan
struck the Philippines and its tragic consequences led to a global relief
effort and public donations as a result of news coverage and appeals straight
after the storm. However, the relief effort carries on long after the media
leave and organisations such as UNICEF and Save the Children continue to do an
outstanding job helping the long-term victims. We are pleased that we had the
opportunity to help them in their vital work.”
Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines six months
ago. It was one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, claiming over
6,000 lives and leaving 1.7 million people homeless.
Paul Ainslie of Save the Children said: “We
want to extend a massive thank you to the team at Virgin Atlantic Cargo for the
extraordinary help and support they provided to us with the cargo flights to
the Philippines. The latest flight carried medical supplies and this will have
an incredible impact in terms of supporting families and saving lives.”
David Bull, UNICEF UK’s Executive Director said:
‘Children are still suffering as a result of typhoon Haiyan which devastated the Philippines six months ago. We are
so grateful to Virgin Atlantic Airlines for providing space on their
flights so that UNICEF can continue to get lifesaving supplies to those in
desperate need. Since the typhoon hit, UNICEF has vaccinated over one million
children against killer diseases, provided safe water to
nearly one million people and delivered school equipment to nearly half a
million children.’
Since the typhoon hit, UNICEF has vaccinated
over one million children under the age of five against killer diseases. Nearly
one million people have been provided with safe water and nearly half a million
children have been equipped with education material. Around 17,000 children
have also been given support to help them cope with the impact the typhoon has
had on them and their families.
Virgin Atlantic’s continued support for Save
the Children’s Typhoon Haiyan Response has helped the charity to provide 3,500
children with Vitamin A to boost their immune system and protect them against
blindness, and for 2,789 children to be vaccinated against measles and 3,000
against polio.
-ends-
ABOUT SAVE THE CHILDREN
Save the Children works in more than 120 countries
to save children's lives, fight for their rights and help them fulfil their
potential. For more information visit: www.savethechildren.org.uk
ABOUT UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every
child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190
countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action,
focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children,
to the benefit of all children, everywhere. UNICEF UK raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and
development work and advocates for lasting change for children everywhere. We
are a UK registered charity, supported entirely by voluntary donations. We do
not receive any money from the UN. For more information, please visit unicef.org.uk
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