A group of volunteers from Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi headquarters recently visited the Philippines to provide much needed support to victims of typhoon Utor.
The volunteers spent four days distributing clothing, food, toiletries and blankets to Filipinos who lost their homes and livelihoods in the severe flooding caused by the typhoon.
Beneficiaries of the charity mission included an aged care facility, a home for abused women and children, and the Philippine Christian Foundation School – a not-for-profit organization which assists disadvantaged communities.
Etihad staff and volunteers donated more than 200 bags of groceries to the families of Philippine Community Fund students in the Smokey Mountain area in Tondo Manila.
Head of CSR and Sustainability at Etihad Airways, Anne Tullis said: “We provide significant logistics support by way of free flights and cargo to assist NGOs and charities, for whom these costs are a huge overhead. But being able to provide hands-on support at a grassroots level makes a real difference to the lives of the communities, and more especially, the volunteers.
“This initiative complements our ongoing support for the Philippine Christian Foundation which includes flights and participation in their recycling and vocational programs at the Smoky Mountain Centre.”
Etihad staff and volunteers visited the Ephesus Home for girls in Guiguinto Bulacan and handed out care packages of food items, clothing and blankets.
This week’s donations campaign brought together staff from Etihad Airways’ CSR department, Etihad Cargo and the airline’s Social and Sports Committee, which also donated funds to buy relief kits and food parcels.
