Boeing and Uzbekistan Airways recently delivered humanitarian relief supplies to the Aral Sea region on board one of the carrier’s new 787-8 Dreamliners. The cargo included hospital beds, mattresses, and wheelchairs to help medical personnel care for the most vulnerable.
On Wednesday (May 5, 2021), Boeing announced the recent delivery of humanitarian supplies to the Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan in partnership with Uzbekistan Airways. The cargo was carried on one of the airline’s new Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and included hospital beds, mattresses and wheelchairs, which will help medical personnel and medical facilities care for the most vulnerable of Uzbekistan’s population. The recent humanitarian aid flight was the third in the partnership between Boeing and Uzbekistan Airways and the supplies were provided by Project C.U.R.E.
In Wednesday’s announcement, Uzbekistan Airways’ Chairman, Ilkhom Makhkamov, said,
“We are delighted to have partnered with Boeing and Project C.U.R.E. to bring home a new consignment of medical supplies on our 787-8 delivery flight. This third flight builds on our partnership for two previous humanitarian flights in 2016. We would like to thank all involved parties for their generosity to support the Uzbek communities during this global pandemic.”
Residents of the Aral Sea region experience high incidence of disease and some of the world’s highest rates of infant mortality. Over the last year, the situation has been exacerbated by COVID-19, which has stressed the region’s limited health care facilities, capacity and infrastructure. For this reason, Project C.U.R.E. donated eight pallets of supplies, which were received in Uzbekistan by the Ministry of Health of Karakalpakstan.
Also commenting on the humanitarian aid collaboration, Project C.U.R.E.’s Director of Government and NGO Relations, Melisa Esposti, said,
“Project C.U.R.E. is honored to work with Boeing’s team and the Embassy of Uzbekistan on this program to assist the health facilities of Karakalpakstan. We are very thankful to have the humanitarian assistance transported by Boeing and Uzbekistan Airways to Tashkent as quickly as possible during this unprecedented pandemic. Thank you to all of the Boeing employees involved and to all of the Project C.U.R.E. team and volunteers who made this all possible.”
Project C.U.R.E. is the world’s largest distributor of donated medical relief, delivering life-saving equipment to under-resourced hospitals and clinics in over 135 countries. In addition to the partnership with Uzbekistan Airways and Project C.U.R.E., Boeing has also announced a $100,000 donation in support of the organization’s mission to provide critical supplies to Uzbek hospitals and clinics in the Aral Sea region.
Further commenting on this vital and ongoing mission, Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ Vice President of Government Operations, Bill McSherry, said,
“We are pleased to have supported Uzbekistan Airways in transporting medical supplies to better empower and equip medical facilities in the region through the Humanitarian Delivery Flight program. Furthermore, we are honored to provide $100,000 to Project C.U.R.E. to support its critical work in Uzbekistan, particularly at a time when the pandemic has created a greater demand than ever for critical medical supplies, infrastructure and care.”
The Republic of Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Javlon Vakhabov, added,
“I would like to express my gratitude to Boeing for their support in making the shipment of humanitarian aid possible directly from Seattle to Tashkent. Undoubtedly, this humble collaboration of Uzbekistan Airways, Boeing and Project C.U.R.E. with the sole aim of helping people in need is a vivid testimony of pure friendship and solidarity. It is my firm belief that the generous donations of the American people will find their best use in Uzbekistan’s hospitals, particularly in Karakalpakstan region – the most affected area by the Aral Sea catastrophe.”
Founded in 1992, Tashkent-based Uzbekistan Airways is the national flag carrier of Uzbekistan.
Boeing (NYSE:BA) is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading supplier of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, as well as global services. The aerospace giant tops the list of the largest U.S. exporters, providing a significant positive impact to America’s annual GDP. Boeing supports government and commercial customers in over 150 countries and employs more than 160,000 team members worldwide. As Boeing continues to deliver for customers, they are committed to their legacy of aerospace leadership in technology and innovation and will continue investing in their people for future growth.
Source: Boeing