On March 28, a powerful 7.7 earthquake shook Myanmar and Thailand, affecting 18.3 million people and causing immediate widespread destruction to infrastructure and communities. With the reduction of USAID funding being put toward non-government organisations (NGOs), organisations are experiencing difficulties in mobilising and scraping together the financial means to both send humanitarian aid and transport first responders and volunteers to the affected region.
Airlink is a disaster-response NGO that specialises in delivering humanitarian aid on behalf of charities by leveraging airline partners that offer cargo and passenger space on existing routes.
Since the onset of the disaster, Airlink has been in close coordination with regional partners to assess emerging needs and is providing flight and logistics assistance to over 25 NGOs, which is facing a major response hurdle due to heavy damage to key airports, interrupted communications, and limited transportation options. Due to the large-scale demands and extensive damage, Airlink is likely to charter aircraft and rely on freight forwarders to deliver by sea and truck – a cost that could bring the total investment in response to over $750,000 (USD). Airlink carefully identifies and vets NGO partners to ensure all aid gets put into the right hands – at the right time. Partners are already putting in requests after verifying specific needs in affected cities, including Mandalay, the second-largest city in Myanmar.
Myanmar is particularly vulnerable to disasters, as it sits on a major fault line and is prone to earthquakes and aftershocks, with much of the landscape mountainous and rural terrain, which is now under limited access. Prior to the earthquake, roughly 19 million people were estimated to already need humanitarian aid due to conflict and infrastructure risks in the country. This earthquake, considered a “once-in-a-century” event, has compounded pre-existing issues and exposes many more lives to the elements. It is imperative that NGOs quickly access and deliver much-needed aid to affected areas.
Airlink is working with several global airline partners to transport first responders and critical aid, including: food and water, medical supplies, shelter, and WASH resources to prevent disease outbreak. Partners on-the-ground in Myanmar are ready to receive the aid and coordinate distribution to hospitals, community centers, and displaced families. Search-and-rescue responders and volunteers are already en route and arriving thanks to airline partners and generous donations that secured their seats through Airlink.
In order to continue urgently responding, Airlink is seeking individual, corporate, and foundation donations to help save lives – you can get started on your monetary gift or donation of air miles at: https://airlinkflight.org/responses/myanmar-earthquake/.
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