Dubai Airshow to provide humanitarian pavilion

The Dubai Airshow is highlighting the role of aviation in providing humanitarian relief with a dedicated pavilion at this year's show.

The Dubai Airshow takes place 17 to 21 November 2013 and is moving to a new purpose built home at Dubai World Central (DWC), located in Jebel Ali, Dubai.

The Dubai Airshow has been supporting the UN World Food Programme (WFP) since 2005 and this new initiative will bring WFP and Care by Air together in a new humanitarian pavilion; which in turn will showcase more than 15 charitable organisations, air operators and supporters in order to encourage more key players to join their efforts.

The WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation addressing hunger and the UN’s frontline agency in the fight against global hunger; using its food supplies to meet emergency needs and support social and economic development in the world’s most vulnerable communities. To augment this function, the agency introduced WFP Aviation - which charters aircraft from around the globe for safe and reliable transportation of food, non-food items and humanitarian personnel.

Currently, more than 100 aircraft are operated by registered carriers on behalf of WFP Aviation, transporting in excess of 300,000 passengers and 200,000 tonnes of cargo every year for both WFP and other humanitarian organisations.

Samir Sajet, regional safety officer, WFP highlighted the role of events in building support for their cause, saying: “Exhibiting at air shows especially the eminent Dubai Airshow, helps us raise awareness about the necessity of having all hands on deck in the fight against hunger, and in turn assists us in reaching out to the aviation industry to showcase how aviation can be deployed within a dignified noble cause it also provides us with an opportunity to meet various potential operators that might be willing to put their services into the greater good of mankind.”