oneworld alliance and unicef deliver post-earthquake assistance to El Salvador

oneworld, the global airline alliance, is sending more than 15 tonnes of emergency supplies, in collaboration with UNICEF, to assist El Salvador in the wake of major earthquakes earlier this year.

A team of more than 60 employees from American Airlines and its fellow oneworld alliance carriers is travelling to El Salvador tomorrow to deliver the supplies and provide other assistance.

The supplies, which include antibiotics, medical supplies and other essential equipment, are being transported by American Airlines from UNICEF’s central supply warehouse in Copenhagen, via American’s hub in Miami - a journey of more than 6,000 miles.

Six months after the earthquakes, more than half of all Salvadorans are living in extreme poverty. The hardest-hit earthquake areas have lost most of their regular sources of income, while expenditures have increased as a result of on-going reconstruction. Moreover, despite the current drought situation in El Salvador, the upcoming rainy season will likely bring increased hardship due to expected landslides in earthquake-weakened areas.

Charles J. Lyons, president of the US Fund for UNICEF, commented: "The US Fund for UNICEF and its partners have responded quickly and given generously. Yet, 600,000 children in El Salvador are still suffering. It is with the help of committed corporate partners like the oneworld alliance that UNICEF is able to continue to provide assistance that is still so desperately needed."

The team of oneworld “ambassadors” and US Fund for UNICEF representatives will spend several days, from Friday (7 September) in El Salvador delivering UNICEF emergency supplies and helping to rehabilitate facilities for orphans and other vulnerable children. Joining the team will be a group of doctors, dentists and other medical professionals who have also volunteered to lend their services to help the people of El Salvador.

To show their support for this special initiative, the airline employees have collected more than 12 tonnes of clothing, toys, school and hygiene supplies that will be delivered to El Salvador in addition to the UNICEF emergency supplies. The employees have also raised money to purchase the supplies needed to help rehabilitate the orphanages.

"UNICEF is the official charity of the oneworld alliance and we are proud of the work we are doing together to ease the suffering of children in places like El Salvador," said David Cush, American's Vice-President for International Planning and Alliances. "We are especially proud of the employees of American Airlines and other oneworld airlines who are donating not only toys and clothing, but also their time and energy to help children in need."