UPS has flown nearly 71 metric tonnes of international aid supplies to Mali, in northern Africa,to help with humanitarian efforts in an area already devastated by drought, fighting, and food
shortages.The charter flight, which took place on August 16, carried just under 71 tonnes of supplies fromFrankfurt to Bamako, the country’s capital.
InterAction, an alliance of U.S.-based international NGOs, said that the supplies were part ofincreasing effects by humanitarian groups to curb a recent outbreak of cholera in Mali. The onsetof the rainy season and the existing humanitarian crisis in northern Mali has exacerbated thesituation.
The UPS flight was loaded with 156,394 pounds of relief supplies. These included AmeriCares’water purification supplies to provide 25,000 people with clean water, and emergency medical aidthat will help treat 15,000 people in Mali.
In addition, there were UNICEF water purification kits to serve 2,640 families, oral rehydrationsalts to help 2 million people and medical kits to cover the needs of 10,000 people for a month.Other supplies included 497 Shelterbox tents to protect 497 families in Niger and high energybiscuits to feed 39,000 malnourished children for a month in CARE’s program in Mali.
“We must do everything we can to try to curb the further spread of cholera in northern Mali andthis latest shipment will help reach that goal,” said Samuel A. Worthington, president and CEO ofInterAction. “InterAction members are grateful for the support given to us by partners such as UPSto respond to this crisis,” he added.
“When a humanitarian crisis occurs, logistics immediately becomes key to saving lives. This isthe third movement of critical relief supplies to the Sahel region of Africa that UPS has beeninvolved in since April as there’s a lot of need,” said Dan Brutto, president of UPS International.“UPS’s role has been to utilise our capabilities to efficiently deliver our NGO partners’ suppliesby consolidating them and we’re honoured to be able to help provide our expertise.”
The shipment was coordinated by UPS in support of InterAction members who are responding tolocal needs in the Sahel. The effort is part of UPS’s Humanitarian Relief Program which provideslogistical help to NGOs and relief agencies seeking to reach those who need help the most. UPSfirst offered logistics help to InterAction members working in the Sahel in April 2012.
“The food crisis in the Sahel is dire, and made more so because there hasn’t been the outpouringof support we’ve seen in the past to address the critical needs of millions,” says Dr. Helene D.Gayle, CARE’s president and CEO. “With this commitment from UPS, we can help thousands in need ofbasic nutrition.”
More than 18.7 million people lack access to sufficient food and more than 1 million childrenunder the age of 5 are at risk of dying from malnutrition in the Sahel region.
“ShelterBox focuses on relief in the form of emergency shelter and other essential equipmentthat bring shelter, warmth and dignity to families who are displaced from their homes, including inthe Sahel region,” said Emily Sperling, president of Shelterbox. “We’re grateful for theopportunity to work with UPS and other organizations on this effort and to do our part.”
