Turkish Cargo has operated its second flight sending 60 tonnes of food to Mogadishu supporting the group Love Army for Somalia.
The airline was originally contacted by social media celebrity, Jerome Jarre, who spearheads the Love Army for Somalia group with fellow social media star Casey Neistat, and actor Ben Stiller, asking whether a cargo aircraft with food could be sent to Somalia.
He sent them a Tweet asking the question and Turkish Airlines said yes, with the first flight taking place in March, carrying 60 tonnes of nutritional supplements designed specifically for kids, which was sent to Mogadishu for immediate distribution.
The second flight with 60 tonnes of aid was delivered to Somalia on 15 August, and non-governmental organisations including ARC provided logistics and guidance on the ground, ensuring that the lifesaving supplements reach the most at-need children and their families.
Turkish Airlines chairman of the board and executive committee, Ilker Ayci says: “As the first call of help to Somalia echoed in social media, Turkish Airlines immediately took notice. We gladly joined the global movement #LoveArmyForSomalia, contributing a cargo flight as well as food and supplies to the people of Somalia.”
“Now, we are doing it again, this time delivering 60 tons of special food for Somalian children. As we take pride in connecting Africa to the world, we also take pride in our corporate responsibility projects that extend a helping hand to the African people.”
Jarre adds: “What is fueling this movement are people around the world coming together. We are united by the idea that anything is possible if we work together to make it happen.”
Turkish Airlines is the only international airline flying to Somalia, giving it unique access to much needed emergency food support to the country, which is suffering from a devastating drought.
The airline also undertakes projects throughout Africa including building and renovating schools, orphanages, clinics, providing education and wells, and setting up solar panels for clinics out of urban areas as well as providing medical aid.
