Rohingya get aid from Etihad Airways
cox’s bazar — It began as a trickle. But soon there was a sea of Rohingya refugees waiting for aid brought by Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi’s national airline.
An Etihad delegation consisting of its senior officials visited a camp in Ukhiya in Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday, and distributed aid and relief materials to more than 3,000 families. The initiative in collaboration with the Emirates Red Crescent was part of the airline’s CSR initiatives in the Year of Zayed.
Khalid Al Mehairbi, senior vicepresident of Etihad Airport Services, said the airline is committed to support refugees and extend a helping hand to the less-privileged. “We are here to support Rohingya refugees. In the Year of Zayed, we believe it is important to reach out to these refugees in the true spirit of giving that UAE and Etihad uphold.”
The relief pack distributed by Etihad and Red Crescent included blankets, dry food, cooking oil and garments for women and children.
Mehairbi said the supplies will last for more than a month for each family.
By the time aid trucks trundled along the dusty roads of Chittagong to the distribution point in
We are here to support Rohingya refugees. In the Year of Zayed, we believe it is important to reach out to these refugees in the true spirit of giving that UAE and Etihad uphold.” Khalid Al Mehairbi, senior vicepresident, Etihad Airport Services
Ukhiya at 10am, the open ground was already choking with people.
Volunteers made men and women stand in separate lines. Many Rohingya men and women sat down on the arid dusty ground, restlessly gazing at the tarpaulin-covered trucks. The harsh life in the refugee camps have taught them patience is a much-needed virtue.
As soon as the delegation got the go ahead for distribution from Bangladesh authorities, Etihad officials and a Red Crescent representative took charge and personally handed over relief materials to Rohingya.
“We are thankful to everyone who are helping us. Our families have lost everything and we are completely dependent on aid,” Mohibulla, a Rohingya said.”
“We are alive due to the generosity of the people of Bangladesh and other countries who are providing shelter and aid to our people. We owe a lot to everyone,” said Ayesha, a mother of two kids.
Later, the delegation also visited a field Hospital in Ukhiya run by Malaysia, and funded by the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The delegation donated blankets to the hospital. Mehairbi said Etihad has been actively pursuing our CSR activities in countries like Syria, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Morocco, Tunisia, Serbia and Jordan. A global education campaign by the airline’s Sports and Social Committee has benefited more than 100,000 students around the world since its launch in 2012, said the official.
We are alive due to the generosity of the people of Bangladesh and other countries who are providing aid to our people. We owe a lot to everyone.” Ayesha, mother of two kids