Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Aviation Group has launched an array of community and humanitarian initiatives to mark Zayed Humanitarian Day, which falls on 4 June this year.
- Food donations locally and worldwide
- Community activities for kids, orphans and
the elderly
- Charity programmes
The programme, which includes food donations,
community activities and charity campaigns, demonstrates Etihad’s commitment to
local and global humanitarian activities, reflecting a spirit of sharing during
the Holy Month of Ramadan and the Year of Zayed.
As part of the its corporate social
responsibility, the UAE national airline has carried out a number of projects
and initiatives including treating ten elderly people from the Old People’s Home in Sharjah to a flight simulator
experience, Iftar and Eid gifts in a warm family setting together with some of
the airline’s pilots.
In line with its ongoing commitment to support
underprivileged children, Etihad has teamed up with the Emirates Red Crescent
to distribute Eid gifts to 600 orphans in Kerala, India. It has also donated
school bags, stationery items and clothes to an orphanage of 240 children in
Vietnam.
In Sri Lanka, 136 children from orphanages and
children’s homes enjoyed a once-in-lifetime ‘Movie Night’ experience on board
an Etihad Airways’ aircraft, and enjoyed fun activities and meals.
Last month, Etihad launched a community drive
to donate 150,000 inflight meals to charity in 2018, and for every year in the
future.
Khaled AlMehairbi, Senior Vice President and
General Manager Etihad Airport Services Ground – Abu Dhabi Hub and CSR
Strategy, said, “We are excited to announce this large-scale programme,
boosting our charitable and community footprint locally and globally. The Zayed
Humanitarian Day is very special this year as we celebrate the Year of Zayed in
2018. We are inspired by the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al
Nahyan to give back and bring smiles to those who are less fortunate.
“With a strong global presence and extensive
network, Etihad Airways is ideally positioned to reach out to vulnerable
communities in different parts of the world and to make a lasting and positive
impact through initiatives that span education, food donations, orphan support
and relief aid.”
The company also announced an initiative for
guest miles donations which will be channelled to sponsor Iftar meals for
Rohingya children and families, and also donating white
canes to visually – impaired people in Morocco, and the promotion of
child education across the world.
Etihad Aviation Group has partnered with
Emirates Red Crescent over several community projects to mark the Zayed Humanitarian Day, which is
celebrated on the 19th day of Ramadan every year. The projects span:
- Donating dry food parcels to more than
1,300 families in India
- Donating dry food parcels to 1,000
families in Sri Lanka
- Supporting 1,000 Syrian refugees at
Ritsona camp in Greece with brand new clothing and Eid gifts
- Distributing dates to 73 outstations for
charity
- Distributing iftar boxes to labour
workforce during the month of Ramadan, with an expected 8,000 meals to be
donated to housekeeping, security and maintenance workers based at Etihad
Offices.
- Distributing wheelchairs to the Specialist Center for Children with Disabilities in
Sharjah, which provides regular care and treatment for children up to 18
years old.