Emirates and Dubai Humanitarian Set Up Airbridge To Deliver Hope to Sri Lanka After Cyclone Ditwah

COLOMBO (News 1st); Emirates and Dubai Humanitarian have joined forces to establish an emergency airbridge to Sri Lanka, delivering critical relief aid to communities ravaged by Cyclone Ditwah.

The initiative will run for two weeks, with Emirates dedicating over 100 tonnes of free cargo space across its daily passenger flights to Colombo, ensuring a steady flow of life-saving supplies.

The first shipments departed Dubai International Airport on Tuesday, December 9, aboard three non-stop Emirates flights to Colombo.

These initial consignments included fortified biscuits from the World Food Programme (WFP), essential food items and relief aid coordinated by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and tarpaulins and emergency supplies from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Upon arrival, the aid will be distributed through a government-led disaster management unit to assist hundreds of thousands of people displaced by severe flooding.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, emphasized the airline’s deep ties to Sri Lanka: “Emirates is deeply connected and committed to Sri Lanka. In coordination with Dubai Humanitarian, we are mobilizing our infrastructure and operations to extend essential support to communities impacted by Cyclone Ditwah. By dedicating bellyhold cargo capacity on our daily flights, we aim to provide a reliable flow of vital commodities.”

HE Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Chairman of Dubai Humanitarian, echoed this sentiment: “We sincerely thank Emirates for enabling the activation of this critical airbridge. This collaboration reflects the strength of our partnership and Dubai’s role as a global hub for humanitarian action. Together, we ensure relief items are delivered swiftly, efficiently, and sustainably.”

Dubai Humanitarian, the world’s largest humanitarian hub, coordinates over 80 organizations and companies to streamline emergency missions.

Since partnering with Emirates in 2020, the duo has executed multiple relief operations, including airbridges during the Turkey-Syria earthquakes in 2023 and catastrophic flooding in Pakistan, uplifting hundreds of tonnes of aid to affected regions.

As Sri Lanka battles the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, this strategic collaboration underscores the power of global partnerships in reinforcing resilience and delivering hope where it’s needed most.