Bangkok--13 May--AirAsia
The AirAsia Foundation has commenced the “To Nepal with Love” campaign to assemble donations in aid of those affected by the devastating earthquake in Nepal. In Thailand, the campaign began on May 12 and will continue until May 31st, 2015. AirAsia passengers can make their donations via boxes on all AirAsia flights and at all airports served by AirAsia. The contributions will add to AirAsia’s ongoing effort to supply air travel for aid workers and their equipment. Interested members of the public can also make their donations at airasiafoundation.com/relieffund
AirAsia X Group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun said, “In these times of need, we have to play our role by mobilising our network and resources as an airline that cares. This initiative will be kicked off first in Malaysia to be followed by Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and India.”
Funds raised by the To Nepal with Love campaign will be sent to Open Learning Exchange Nepal (OLE Nepal), a Kathmandu-based non-government organisation aiding schools and institutions in impoverished areas impacted by the earthquake across Nepal, as well as the Nepal Red Cross Society for its rehabilitation efforts.
AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said, “Nepal has one of the youngest populations in Asia. We believe it is important that rebuilding funds also go to supporting the work of strong local organisations that can make an effective impact. We hope this will play a role in helping affected communities rebuild their lives.”
AirAsia has also contributed to relief efforts by offering seat sponsorship for aid workers to respond to Nepal’s call for international assistance. The free seats arrangement, which commenced after commercial flights resumed on May 3, will remain in place until May 10, 2015. The seats have allowed aid workers from Malaysia and Indonesia to reach Nepal.
For future updates, log on to AirAsia Foundation’s Facebook (fb.com/AirAsiaFoundation) or its website (airasiafoundation.com/relieffund).
The AirAsia Group is firmly committed to the philosophy that no corporation can live apart from the community it serves. As a ‘Truly Asean Airline’, it is committed to always extending a helping hand to the communities it serves in their time of need.
AirAsia has constantly played a role in assembling donations from agencies and its passengers to aid in times of crisis. The airline took part in relief efforts in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines (2013), the Asian Tsunami (2004), Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (2008) and Typhoon Nesat in the Philippines (2011), the Sichuan earthquake in China (2008), the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Fukushima, Japan (2011) and the Malaysian floods (2015). AirAsia also supported the recovery of Bali, Indonesia, after the terrorist bombings in 2005, by giving away 12,000 free seats on its flights. It mounted rescue flights from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur in November 2008 to help people stranded by the closing of the airport in Bangkok. Similar rescue efforts were extended in Padang and Jakarta in October 2009 to help those affected by the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that hit Sumatra Island.