With the death toll from Myanmar and Sichuan disasters rising and even more left desolate and homeless, the travel trade is doing its best to pitch in and save lives.
AirAsia has provided assistance by flying volunteers and using cargo space to transport emergency supplies to Yangon from its Bangkok hub after the disaster hit Myanmar. The airline will continue to deliver aid to Yangon in aid of the survivors there.
Singapore carrier, SilkAir, has been flying to Chengdu and bringing aid transported by freight free of charge, supporting Mercy Relief and the Red Cross. Said Renu Nair, public affairs manager, “This is one of the small little things we can do; we’re not that keen to publicise it.”
American carrier United Airlines is also doing its part to help the victims of the China earthquake.
United Airlines is joining customers and employees to support the victims of the China earthquake by contributing to relief efforts. The United Airlines Foundation is matching up to $50,000 in donations from employees.
“There has been an outpouring of concern and interest to help victims of the devastating earthquake in China,” said Sonya Jackson, managing director - Corporate Social Investment and president of the United Airlines Foundation.
United is assisting the American Red Cross, working closely with the Red Cross Society of China and the International concern and interest to help victims of the devastating earthquake in China,” said Sonya Jackson, managing director - Corporate Social Investment and president of the United Airlines Foundation.
Millions of dollars have been pledged to Myanmar at an international conference helmed by United Nations chief Ban Ki Moon. There are about 2.4 million survivors of Cyclone Nargis, but the death toll has hit 134,000. The Myanmar government has finally allowed foreign aid workers into the country after initially banning them right after the disaster hit. It is estimated that only one quarter of the 2.4 million victims are receiving help. It is feared that there will be a second wave of deaths in Myanmar as many victims have not been reached.
The scene in Sichuan province is no better where the death toll has hit more than 60,000 at press time. Aid continued to pour into the Chinese region for the homeless survivors numbering 5.4 million while more than 11 million people who China says will be evacuated from quake-hit areas to temporary camps.
Basically, Singapore Airlines (SIA), together with SilkAir, is assisting with the freight of supplies into both affected areas in China and Myanmar. SIA is in touch with aid agencies, offering more capacity for them to freight relief supplies into the two areas.
In addition, SIA has made a donation of 2 million yuan (US$288,000) to the Sichuan earthquake relief efforts. The donation was made through the China Red Cross. Hotel companies have also rounded up support. InterContinental Hotels Group(IHG), “is making an initial donation of RMB 1 million which will give us immediate funds to begin providing relief to local efforts and affected colleagues in Sichuan. We are also appealing for personal donations from our employees across the Asia Pacific,” said Gary Rosen, senior vice president, IHG Asia Pacific.
Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts Ltd is contributing its funds through UNICHEF Check Out for Children program towards relief efforts in Myanmar, this includes helping the children of Myanmar with the immediate, urgent needs in healthcare and immunisation. UNICEF already has an office in Myanmar and is delivering life-saving emergency supplies to the affected children and their families.
At a recent Starwood global sales incentive trip in Asia, its global colleagues contributed funds towards charitable activities in Asia, and including Myanmar’s relief efforts too. “ Two of Hong Kong trade associations, The Hong Kong Association of China Travel Organisers Ltd and The Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents, will raise funds for the Sichuan earthquake relief by auctioning travel products and items donated by their members at the public days of the International Travel Expo in Hong Kong on June 14 and 15.
The National Association of Travel Agents Singapore has been encouraging its members to donate generously to the many charities that are collecting donations.
