|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 06 January 2005 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
A multi-national, volunteer group of experts in airport cargo operations is playing a critical role in the flow of international aid to tsunami victims in Sri Lanka, in possibly the largest emergency logistics operation. Supported by Emirates Airline, Dnata and five other companies, the Dubai-based Airport Emergency Team (AET) of the Disaster Resource Network (DRN) was deployed at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport for the first time since the AET's establishment, just three days after the country was ravaged by the tsunami. Its mandate is to help manage all humanitarian cargo arriving on charter flights into the country, enabling a quick turnaround of aircraft, and the efficient despatch of relief goods to the affected areas. The Airport Emergency Team has been set up under the patronage of Emirates'Chairman Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and is made up of representatives from seven participating organisations: Emirates, Dnata, DHL, TNT, Aramex, Chapman Freeborn and Dubai Aid City. The AET's nine-member group in Sri Lanka is headed by Chris Weeks of DHL,as Director Europe, Middle East and Africa for the Disaster Resource Network, and Team Leader David Ambridge of Dnata Cargo. As a co-sponsor of the team, Emirates has contributed eight staff members from across the Emirates Group,who have been or will be in Colombo to support the coordination of the relief efforts. Stemming from the experience of two volunteers who assisted in disaster recovery after earthquakes in Iran and Morocco, the Airport Emergency Team's mission is to provide assistance across country borders to overloaded airports in times of crisis. In total, about 40 volunteers from the seven participating organisations are involved in setting up and running the initiative. These volunteers work in rotation at airports needing assistance, providing 24 hour support and leaving the existing cargo handling infrastructure free to carry out its routine work. In Colombo, its first operational deployment, the AET has taken delivery of nearly 800 tons of cargo flown in from many countries to Sri Lanka. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
