First four SAUDIA flights transported over 280,000 kg of supplies from King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center to residents of Lebanese capital including medical supplies, food items and tents
Beirut – 12 August 2020: In an effort to extend emergency support to the Beirut community, Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has successfully delivered more than 280,000 kilograms of urgently-needed aid as part of the directives of the Kingdom’s leadership. The supplies were delivered through SAUDIA Cargo to assist those affected by the deadly explosion that rocked the city’s port area last week.
The company coordinated with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) to provide logistical assistance and transport the vital humanitarian goods via four flights from King Khalid International Airport to Rafic Hariri International Airport in the Lebanese capital.
The first two flights departed on Friday and carried over 118,000 kg of aid accompanied by 28 passengers, including a specialized team from KSrelief that was dispatched to oversee the distribution operations on the ground, as well as a group of media representatives. The remaining cargo was transported on Saturday and Sunday, with a combined total of 63,707 kg in medical supplies, 166,440 kg of foodstuff and 51,083 kg of tents making its way to affected Beirut residents.
Sami Bin Ali Sindi, Director General, Saudi Arabian Airlines, commented: “Like all who witnessed last week’s events, we were deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic incident. Following the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, may Allah protect him, to support those who have been affected in the Lebanese capital, we have been blessed with this opportunity to transport these vital supplies to Beirut through an air bridge, in direct cooperation and coordination with KSrelief.”
Sindi continued: “A total of 41 pallets carrying in excess of 120 tons of relief goods were prepared within just six hours for the initial two flights, with our staff working around the clock to ensure this crucial aid reached its destination as quickly as possible. At SAUDIA, we remain fully committed to humanitarian endeavors and will continue to support these relief efforts, which are making a genuine difference in the lives of those impacted by this disaster.”