Hanjin Group affiliates Korean Air and Hanjin Corporation have partnered to provide emergency relief supplies and transport support to areas in Nepal affected by the severe flooding that occurred from Aug. 26. Following severe infrastructure damage, the Nepalese government will distribute the goods to displaced residents, hospitals and rescue sites.
Sudden flash floods
The British Red Cross charity states on its online emergency appeal that sudden flash floods struck Nepal’s Rasuwa district and parts of the Xizang/Tibet area on Aug. 26. These were caused by a surge of water entering the Bhote Koshi River from Tibet. The BBC reported that officials from Nepal‘s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority established that this was due to a glacial collapse on a Nepalese mountain called Langtang Lirung, beside the Lhende river.
More than 4,000 people including children are missing, over 1,000 are dead and many communities have been devastated. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) estimates that up to 93,000 people are affected. Authorities in Nepal have also warned of the risk of further flooding and have been evacuating people to higher ground.
Relief shipment
Korean Air temporarily suspended commercial cargo bookings on its Kathmandu-bound flight to prioritise humanitarian aid to Nepal on Sept. 5. The South Korean government provided 10.5 tons of thermal blankets, with Hanjin Corporation managing the freight forwarding process.
The airline dispatched the first relief shipment on flight KE695 from Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Nepal’s Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) on Sept. 8. The airline reports it provided 1,000 boxes of Hanjin Jeju Pure Water to help alleviate critical water shortages along with 1,000 blankets. These supplies are scheduled to be transported across two flights on Sep. 8 and Sep. 12.
An unnamed Hanjin Group spokesperson said:
“We extend our deepest sympathies to those in Nepal whose lives have been upended by this disaster. We hope these supplies provide practical relief during this difficult time.”
US-based National Airlines also posted on social media it has transported more than 75 tonnes of UNICEF aid and relief cargo, in an operation reported to have been mobilised in less than 48 hours.
Travel Radar wishes to extend our condolences to all those affected by the tragic flooding in Nepal.
