FedEx teams up with Direct Relief for Ukraine aid flight

FedEx and charity Direct Relief worked together to fly 52 tons of medical equipment to Poland to support refugees from the war in Ukraine.

The aid was transported on a FedEx Express Boeing B777 freighter on June 26 and included emergency medicines and supplies, including health kits, trauma and wound care items, chronic disease and chemical exposure medications, and antibiotics.

Direct Relief team members were on site for the offload and the aid will be distributed to health facilities within Ukraine.

“It is gratifying to be able use our global network to support these critical missions, and with this charter flight we hope to make a small contribution to what is still a major humanitarian situation,” said Karen Reddington, regional president of Europe, FedEx Express.

Thomas Tighe, direct relief president and chief executive, added: “In addition to the heartbreaking loss of life and human toll, the war has had a devastating impact on health services in the country, and Direct Relief is committed to bolstering care with a continuous supply of medical aid.”

FedEx said that it had donated $2.3m in humanitarian aid support to those affected by the Ukraine war and its logistics network had help relief organisations including Direct Relief, Heart to Heart International, International Medical Corps, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and World Central Kitchen.

Damian Brett  www.aircargonews.net