Published On | August 13, 2010

MAXIMUS AIR CARGO DELIVERS RELIEF TO CHAD IN SUPPORT OF UAE HUMANITARIAN DRIVE

 

 
  • Maximus delivers urgent relief supplies to drought stricken Chad on behalf of Red Crescent
 
  • Over ten million facing starvation in West Africa and the need for aid supplies is critical
 
  • Maximus pledges its commitment to the UAE Red Crescent and humanitarian work
 
UAE, 13th August, 2010: Maximus Air Cargo, the UAE's largest dedicated cargo aircraft operator, is sending relief flights during the Holy Month of Ramadan to help drought stricken Chad. Supplies, provided by the UAE Red Crescent, are being dispatched from Abu Dhabi to help victims of the severe droughts which have devastated the West African state of Chad. The relief mission reflects the UAE’s strong humanitarian conscience and the continued good work of the UAE Red Crescent in conjunction with its partner, Maximus Air Cargo.
 
Aid agencies have already warned that up to ten million in West Africa are now facing starvation in conditions similar to the famine of Ethiopia in 1984. The North African Sahel region has suffered hot temperatures, lack of rain and bad harvests. This, coupled with high food prices and endemic unemployment, has forced the population into a state of crisis. Rapid response is critical to the survival of millions in the weeks ahead.
 
As the exclusive relief partner to the UAE Red Crescent, Maximus Air Cargo is no stranger to rapid response humanitarian work. In its six years of operations, the airline which is a part of Abu Dhabi Aviation group, has delivered aid to disaster zones such as Aceh, Pakistan, Sumatra and Haiti. The fleet features heavyweight planes such as the Antonov (AN) 124-100 and Ilyushin (IL) 76TD which are able to carry large loads of relief and land in devastated zones with little or no infrastructure.
 
Commenting on the latest mission Fathi Buhazza, President and CEO of Maximus Air Cargo and founder of Care by Air said: “The situation in Chad is heartbreaking. Maximus Air Cargo is proud to partner with the UAE Red Crescent in order to offer assistance. This is in line with our role in supporting the UAE in humanitarian activities. We are committed to offering practical help and we recognize our humanitarian responsibility to support victims of disasters. During the Holy Month of Ramadan, those less fortunate than ourselves lie at the forefront of our thoughts. I think it is important to remember that whether you are a large air cargo airline like ourselves or just a simple individual, there is something we can all do to help.”