Singapore Airlines and Temasek Foundation collaborate to support the World Food Programme in response to the pandemic

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Singapore Airlines, together with the Temasek Foundation and the World Food Programme, are actively responding to the global COVID-19 pandemic by airlifting basic medical supplies and other health and humanitarian aid materials to locations in need around the world.

To provide logistics support for the global fight against the pandemic, the World Food Program operates a hub network, passenger and cargo aviation links to ensure a stable supply chain of materials and guarantee the frontline transportation of materials during the pandemic. Since the launch of these services in May, the World Food Program has coordinated more than 800 humanitarian aid flights to 159 countries. In the coming weeks, there will be 188 jumbo jets in full load.

"Although the demand for WFP's common services is increasing every week, resources are still extremely tight. We urgently need more support." Amer Daoudi, Director of Corporate Response to the COVID-19 Epidemic of the World Food Program, said, "We are very grateful to Singapore Airlines Being able to get involved with the Temasek Foundation will enable us to continue to deliver life-saving supplies to those who need it most."

According to this agreement, Singapore Airlines will provide cargo space through temporary charter flights and available scheduled flights in the form of only cost recovery. The Temasek Foundation will invest up to 6.5 million US dollars to cover the cost of air transportation.

Singapore Airlines Cargo Senior Vice President Chen Youcheng said, “Singapore Airlines is honoured to work with the World Food Programme and participate in this meaningful project with the Temasek Foundation. This allows us to leverage the advantages of global cargo service providers and leverage our international network. The route transports basic materials to the places in the world where these materials are most needed, and actively helps those communities directly affected by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic."

Mr. Huang Wenxiong, President of Temasek Foundation, said, "We are very pleased to work with the World Food Programme and Singapore Airlines to make it possible to operate these relief supplies. Through the cooperation of the international community, we will be able to fight the global COVID-19 epidemic more effectively. This partnership allows us to ensure that we can transport basic supplies to the communities where they are most needed, even if these places are thousands of miles away. We are pleased to see that the two best companies in their respective fields can go hand in hand to make this collaboration relationship become possible."

According to estimates, the World Food Program's humanitarian and health society public services need US$965 million in funding. As of now, only 21% of the funds are in place. Without further support, WFP passenger and cargo flights may be suspended at the end of August.

In such difficult times, Singapore Airlines Group has actively participated in the project to fight the pandemic. The Singapore Airlines Group has arranged a number of return flights to help people stranded in foreign countries return to their country. At the same time, Singapore Airlines Cargo has been delivering medical aid supplies and personal protective equipment to where it is needed, and will play a role in critical periods to ensure a smooth supply chain of basic supplies. In Singapore, the Singapore Airlines Group also donated blankets and other materials and provided food to the Singaporean communities affected by the pandemic.