A new initiative to establish a “Global Humanitarian Aviation Council” aims to facilitate and protect humanitarian aid transported by air, in cooperation between the aviation community, humanitarian organizations, and state governments.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabiah, Advisor to the Royal Court and General Supervisor of MKing Salman Relief Centreand humanitarian actions, to the establishment of a “Global Humanitarian Aviation Council.”
This invitation came during his participation in a dialogue session entitled “Aviation – a vital lifeline for humanitarian efforts,” within the activities of the Future of Aviation 2024 conference, which was held in Riyadh.
Dr. Al-Rabiah stressed that the proposed council will bring together the aviation community, humanitarian organizations and state governments, with the aim of facilitating and protecting airborne humanitarian aid.
He stressed that all programs that the Council will supervise must be protected under international humanitarian law, to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of relief operations.
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Three main axes to facilitate humanitarian aid
Al-Rabiah explained that the Council will contribute to facilitating the provision of humanitarian aid in three main ways: the first relates to ensuring unrestricted access to airports, flight corridors and refueling facilities for aircraft carrying aid; The second is to cancel all fees and taxes on aircraft designated for humanitarian aid. The third relates to simplifying aid delivery processes, as eliminating fees will reduce costs, which will help bridge the humanitarian funding gap.
The vital role of civil aviation in relief efforts
Dr. Al-Rabiah highlighted the vital role of civil aviation in providing humanitarian assistance during natural disasters and armed conflicts. He pointed out that aviation is an essential tool for the rapid transportation of humanitarian workers and the delivery of emergency supplies such as food, water, and medical and shelter aid. He said that the Council will contribute to facilitating these operations, which will save lives and help those in need.
Achievements of the King Salman Relief Center through air bridges
Al-Rabiah pointed to the successes of the King Salman Relief Center in using aviation to provide aid in crisis areas. The center benefited from aviation to provide health supplies and aid to various areas.
The importance of civil aviation for humanitarian aid
At the conclusion of his speech, Dr. Al-Rabiah noted that civil aviation represents an essential pillar of humanitarian operations, as it enables the rapid sending of aid and helps evacuate those affected. It also supports long-term recovery by transporting vital equipment such as machinery and rebuilding materials. He added that the use of drones contributes to delivering aid to hard-to-reach areas, which increases the effectiveness of relief efforts.
