Customer and corporate support impact 90,000 people’s lives, support 22 projects in 12 countries, and more than 50 medical, engineering and educational missions
DUBAI, UAE – Over 5,500 people in the past one year have directly benefited from the Emirates Airline Foundation that helped support Medical and Engineering Missions in Uganda.
The Foundation supported the entire travel, logistics and free baggage allowance for doctors, nurses, medical staff and engineers from NGOs to conduct free life-saving surgeries, consultations and screenings, and also training for local medical staff.
The key initiatives supported by the foundation in Uganda included; Mobile Medics International where the organization set up daily clinics and traveled to further remote villages in dire need of health services and provided vitamins and aid for those suffering from malnutrition. This directly benefited 2,500 people.
Other medical missions undertaken were cardiovascular surgical mission, Fistula and pelvic floor surgery, Plastic surgery and training for local medical professionals, among others.
Engineering missions to the country included flying in Engineers Without Borders to support Uganda’s Rural Electrification project in Otubet, a Water supply project in Kawango, and a Water supply project as well as installation of solar panels and a computer lab classroom in Nyange.
Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline and Chairman of the Emirates Airline Foundation said: “Emirates always looks for meaningful ways in which we can contribute to the local 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 work with like-minded partners and NGOs globally who aim to reach out to the neglected, ignored, and the poorest communities on the planet.
“Rather than just donating food to feed the hungry, the Foundation provides children with holistic care – including food, clothing, shelter, medical support and an education – that transforms lives, creates livelihoods, helps sustain communities, and leads to a fairer, more just world. And we are helping our customers connect to these communities when they donate funds or their Skywards Miles. Everyone is welcome to join us on this journey.”
Last year, the Foundation used a staggering 132 million Skywards Miles to positively impact the lives and livelihoods of more than 90,000 people, mainly children, living in some of the most impoverished communities worldwide.
The top 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.
The Foundation, a vital 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 annual running expenses and building infrastructure to running feeding and medical programmes, paying salaries and covering other ad hoc expenses.
The Foundation also appeals to Emirates’ customers to donate Skywards Miles, small change inflight, and funds on its website.
