ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES’ 11TH DREAMLINER DELIVERS MUCH NEEDED MEDICAL SUPPLIES
(Posted 02nd February 2015)
Boeing joined hands with Ethiopian Airlines and three separate non-profit organizations to deliver more than 4,000 pounds (1,814 kilograms) of medical supplies and equipment for charities and hospitals in Ethiopia and Somalia. The deliveries, carried on the ferry flight of Ethiopian’s newest 787 Dreamliner, the 11th such aircraft delivered to ET which was the African launch customer, were made to a number of medical institutions via Vital Voices Global Partnership, Horn of Africa Neonatal Development Services (HANDS) and Seattle Alliance Outreach (SAO).
‘Ethiopian Airlines continues to be a leader in corporate social responsibility activities inEthiopia. With this delivery flight, we are also very happy to facilitate the supply of much needed medical supplies in neighboringSomaliaas well’ said Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde GebreMariam. ‘As the flag carrier for the country ofEthiopia, we are viewed as not only an airline but also as a source of vital service for the people ofEthiopia. We are proud and honored to work with Boeing to help our people and country where we have such great needs’.
The shipment includes an autoclave to sterilize surgery equipment which will be used by a new kidney dialysis center in Ethiopia, as well as neonatal medical equipment for Jimma University,College of Public Health & Health Sciences which is dedicated to saving infant lives. Vital Voices Global Partnership will send medications, computers and medical equipment valued at approximately $68,000 onwards fromAddis Ababa to the Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation in Somalia, a charity that provides basic needs through the access to healthcare.
‘The Vital Voices Northwest Council has been thrilled bySeattle’senthusiasm and generous donations to this important cause’ said Rosita Van Coevorden, chair of the Vital Voices Northwest Council. ‘We are delighted to be donating state-of-the-art medical supplies such as hospital-grade defibrillators that will provide sorely needed resources at the Hawa Abdi General Hospital’.
‘Ethiopian Airlines is an active partner in Boeing’s Global Corporate Citizenship’s Humanitarian Delivery Flights program’ said Liz Warman, director, Boeing Global Corporate Citizenship, Northwest region. ‘We have a long history together not only buying and selling airplanes, but also working in collaboration and using our respective resources to help deliver medical supplies and equipment to those who are in most need of them inEthiopiaandSomalia’.
The Boeing Humanitarian Delivery Flights program is a collaboration effort between Boeing, airline customers and non-profit organizations to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the world to communities in need or crisis. Since Boeing’s Humanitarian Delivery Flight program began in 1992, the company has facilitated more than 170 humanitarian delivery flights, including 10 in 2014, working in partnership with more than 50 airlines worldwide.
