Airbus Corporate Foundation and MASkargo help fight famine in East Africa

An Airbus A330-200F just delivered to Malaysian airline MASkargo has arrived at Dubai during the Dubai Airshow carrying forty tonnes of high energy food. This flight, facilitated by the Airbus Corporate Foundation, along with MASkargo and Action Against Hunger, will boost crucial stocks at the UN’s strategically located Humanitarian Response Depot in the emirate.

Founded in France in 1979, Action Against Hunger (with its international counterpart Action Against Hunger / ACF International) is recognised as one of the most important humanitarian organisations combating hunger and malnutrition worldwide. This issue affects approximately one billion people across the globe, particularly in the Eastern region known as the Horn of Africa, afflicted by a severe drought and facing one of the worst humanitarian hunger crises in years with over 12 million people impacted.

Action Against Hunger is using its Dubai base to capitalise on the emirate’s strategic location from which to serve a coordinated global effort in response to emergency situations elsewhere in the world. The non-profit, non-religious organisation has established an international network to deliver life-saving programmes in some 45 countries, specialising in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster and chronic food insecurity.

MASkargo, the freight subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, was established in 1972 to handle the delivery of cargo around the world via Malaysia Airlines' global network of routes.

Tom Enders, Chairman of the Airbus Corporate Foundation and President and CEO of Airbus, said: “Thanks to MASkargo, the Airbus Corporate Foundation has been able to support Action Against Hunger, in another great example of how aviation can contribute to humanitarian relief and help people in need in a very tangible way. Since it commenced operations in December 2008, the Foundation has coordinated twenty relief flights.

Captain Raja Yazid Bin Raja Jallaludin of MASkargo said, “MASkargo is happy to be part of this joint relief effort. That we are using our second A330 freighter fresh from the handover is a bonus as the aircraft starts its service on a really good note! Over the years, MASkargo has been very active in relief efforts for catastrophes worldwide.

Erland Egiziano, Logistics Director Action Against Hunger - France, said: The food being delivered today by the Airbus Corporate Foundation is vital in restoring dignity, self-sufficiency and independence for vulnerable communities and saving the lives of children and their families in East Africa”.

Since its launch in December 2008, the Airbus Corporate Foundation has completed 20 relief flights to numerous destinations all over the globe.