Etihad Aviation Group has launched an array of community and humanitarian initiatives to mark Zayed Humanitarian Day, which fell on June 4 this year.  

The programme, which includes food donations, community activities and charity campaigns, demonstrates Etihad’s commitment to local and global humanitarian activities, reflecting a spirit of sharing during the holy month of Ramadan and the Year of Zayed.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, the UAE national airline has carried out a number of projects and initiatives including treating 10 elderly people from the Old People’s Home in Sharjah to a flight simulator experience, Iftar and Eid gifts in a warm family setting together with some of the airline’s pilots.

In line with its ongoing commitment to support underprivileged children, Etihad has teamed up with the Emirates Red Crescent to distribute Eid gifts to 600 orphans in Kerala, India. It has also donated school bags, stationery items and clothes to an orphanage of 240 children in Vietnam.

In Sri Lanka, 136 children from orphanages and children’s homes enjoyed a once-in-lifetime ‘Movie Night’ experience on board an Etihad Airways’ aircraft, and enjoyed fun activities and meals.

Last month, Etihad launched a community drive to donate 150,000 in-flight meals to charity in 2018, and for every year in the future.

Khaled AlMehairbi, senior vice president and general manager Etihad Airport Services Ground – Abu Dhabi Hub and CSR Strategy, said: “We are excited to announce this large-scale programme, boosting our charitable and community footprint locally and globally. The Zayed Humanitarian Day is very special this year as we celebrate the Year of Zayed in 2018. We are inspired by the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to give back and bring smiles to those who are less fortunate.

“With a strong global presence and extensive network, Etihad Airways is ideally positioned to reach out to vulnerable communities in different parts of the world and to make a lasting and positive impact through initiatives that span education, food donations, orphan support and relief aid.”

The company also announced an initiative for guest miles donations which will be channelled to sponsor Iftar meals for Rohingya children and families, and also donating white canes to visually – impaired people in Morocco, and the promotion of child education across the world.

Etihad Aviation Group has partnered with Emirates Red Crescent over several community projects to mark the Zayed Humanitarian Day, which is celebrated on the 19th day of Ramadan every year. The projects span:

• Donating dry food parcels to more than 1,300 families in India
• Donating dry food parcels to 1,000 families in Sri Lanka
• Supporting 1,000 Syrian refugees at Ritsona camp in Greece with brand new clothing and Eid gifts
• Distributing dates to 73 outstations for charity
• Distributing iftar boxes to labour workforce during the month of Ramadan, with an expected 8,000 meals to be donated to housekeeping, security and maintenance workers based at Etihad Offices.• • • Distributing wheelchairs to the Specialist Center for children with disabilities in Sharjah, which provides regular care and treatment for children up to 18 years old. - TradeArabia News Service