While the carrier suspended its passenger flights to mainland China as of Feb. 3, the supplies will be transported via Qatar Airways Cargo’s freighter network into gateways in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau, the airline said in a press release. Qatar Airways delivered the first relief shipment of medical-grade respiratory masks and disposable latex gloves to Shanghai on Feb. 2. Chinese communities and businesses in Qatar alone have already donated 700 kilograms of medical aid items.

Air cargo operators around the world are uniquely positioned to support critical logistics needs during global emergencies like the current viral outbreak. Qatar Airways is a partner in Airlink, which unites commercial and charter airlines within its network with prequalified nonprofits to respond to such emergencies, although the carrier’s current initiative is independent of Airlink.

For more on Airlink and to learn how to lend support, view our recent coverage of its efforts on our sister site, CargoFacts.com.

Airlink mobilizes for coronavirus response

Airlink’s regional plans are structured around three central elements: pre-committed air capacity for passengers and cargo; pre-committed financial support in the form of direct financial contributions and crowdfunding efforts; and pre-committed nongovernmental organization (NGO) response capabilities. The organization said it is working with dozens of NGOs, airlines and logistics companies to address air transportation needs, sourcing and information-sharing to aid in the response.

Airlink said it has spent more than a year growing its network in the Asia-Pacific region for emergencies like the current viral outbreak. The coronavirus, first detected in Wuhan, China, is not the first such health emergency for which Airlink has provided aid. In 2014 and 2015, the organization launched an airbridge to support medical supplies into West Africa during the Ebola outbreak, after commercial aviation had halted operations in the region.

“Airlink is uniquely suited to respond to emergencies like the coronavirus that require immediate action from the humanitarian sector and are loaded with logistics challenges, not the least of which is a reduction or complete stop of commercial flights to the impacted region,” said Steven J. Smith, president and CEO of Airlink. “Our organization is the nexus between reputable aid organizations with the tools to respond and other actors with the resources and expertise needed to get help to communities fighting the virus.”

To lend support via a monetary contribution or a donation of frequent flyer miles, visit the Airlink website.

During this start of this holiday season, consider contributing to Airlink, a rapid-response humanitarian relief organization that links airlines with pre-qualified nonprofits. Airlink’s network includes more than 40 commercial and charter airlines and 80 international nonprofits.

Just last week, Airlink arranged a 4 ton shipment of medicines and supplies to treat survivors of Super Typhoon Yutu in the Northern Mariana Islands. Yutu struck the U.S. commonwealth on Oct. 25, as the strongest storm to impact the region since 1968, before moving on to do more damage in the Philippines. The heaviest damage from winds and flooding in the Northern Marianas was concentrated on the islands of Saipan and Tinian.

Working with partner with United Airlines and freight forwarder Flexport.org, Airlink coordinated the free Yutu shipment of emergency supplies for Americares. Valued at more than US$1.8 million, the cargo included antibiotics, wound-care supplies, tetanus vaccines and other essential health and hygiene products. Airlink partner American Logistics Aid Network also donated trucking services to carry the supplies from the airport to community hospitals.

Airlink’s network has also brought relief to survivors of record-breaking monsoon floods in the Indian state of Kerala that resulted in 483 deaths and the displacement of more than 1 million people in mid-August. Working with Flexport and cargo carrier Emirates SkyCargo, the network moved nearly 2 tons of gauze, gloves and other surgical supplies to Kerala on behalf of MedShare, which used the materials to treat 4,000 patients.

Since its inception in 2010, Airlink and its airline partners have responded in the aftermath of events such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti; the tsunamis in Japan and Sulawesi; Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013; the 2014-2016 Ebola crisis in West Africa; and hurricanes Sandy, Florence and Michael in the continental U.S.

To date, Airlink and its airline partners have sent more than 4,000 emergency personnel and over 3 million pounds of cargo in support of a wide range of humanitarian initiatives. Airlink estimates the value of these movements at about $8 million.

For more information about making donations, please visit Airlink.org. Have a happy, warm and peaceful Thanksgiving, from everyone at Air Cargo World.