AirAsia launches “#AlwaysRED-y:Allstars At Your Service” relief response, mounts mercy flight to bring help to flood-stricken Cagayan
In an effort to speed up and aid in the recovery of affected families due to Typhoon Ulysses in Cagayan Valley, AirAsia mounted a mercy flight to bring much-needed help to the flood-stricken province in Northern Luzon.
#AlwaysREDy:Allstars At Your Service team together with relief operations partner groups at the Tuguegarao Airport
Dubbed as “#AlwaysRED-y:Allstars At Your Service”, an internal fund raising drive was organized by AirAsia employees to generate funds to buy relief goods for distribution. Allstars also volunteered during the repacking of the relief goods.
In response to #CagayanNeedsHelp, a mercy flight was quickly set up by AirAsia partnering with PLDT Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, New Life Foundation, Bayanihan, Liter of Light Org and I Want To Share Foundation to intensify the relief efforts.
The mercy flight, which took off from NAIA Terminal 3 at around 5:30AM, landed at the Tuguegarao Airport with more than 10 tons of clothing, blankets, bottled water, and ready to eat food packs.
AirAsia pilots who are also Philippine Airforce reservists facilitated the cargo handling.
Unloading of relief goods at the ramp area of Tuguegarao Airport facilitated by Allstar volunteers/Philippine Airforce Reservists
The relief packs were immediately transported by land and distributed to Sitio Malacabibi and Balisi in Barangay Dassun, Sitio Ipil in Barangay Bauan and Sitio Tarug in Barangay Iraga, all in the town of Solana, almost an hour’s drive from the airport.
To date, 174,940 individuals have been affected by the massive flooding brought by Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) in Cagayan. In Sitio Malacabibi alone, 1,752 individuals are still suffering from the effects of the massive flood. Electricity has not yet been restored in the affected barangays which makes relief efforts harder.
AirAsia and Liter of Light Org have earlier distributed 150 solar powered lights to affected families and installed street lights to light up communal areas at night.
AirAsia CFO Ray Berja and Liter of Light Org Founding Chairman Illac Angelo Diaz distribute solar powered lights to evacuees at the Malacabibi Elementary School, Solana, Cagayan
AirAsia Philippines President and CEO Ricky Isla said, “ Our heart goes out to everyone who lost their homes, livelihoods, and loved ones. We have all been battling COVID19 and the situation has been worsened by the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses. Although Cagayan Valley via Tuguegarao Airport is not yet part of the AirAsia route network, we recognize the critical role that aviation plays in the fast and reliable movement of humanitarian assistance such as food and medical supplies, especially when time is of the essence.
AirAsia is #AlwaysRED-y at your service. We are always here to keep the “Bayanihan” spirit alive”.
Evacuees undergo transfer of technology training on how to assemble solar powered lights facilitated by AirAsia Philippines’ partner Liter of Light Org
Present during the relief operation were AirAsia Philippines CFO Ray Berja, PLDT PDRF President Rene Meily, PLDT PDRF Executive Director Veronica Gabaldon, Kapuso Foundation Program representatives , New Life Foundation Director Pastor Paul Giague, Bayanihan-Cagayan Project Representative Carl Sena, and Liter of Light Org Founding Chairman Illac Angelo Diaz.
#AlwaysRED-y:Allstars At Your Service will also conduct relief operations for the victims of Typhoon Ulysses in Marikina and Rizal Province.