The 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year Award was announced in Brussels at AidEx 2022, the world’s leading humanitarian aid and d
The 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year Award was announced in Brussels at AidEx 2022, the world’s leading humanitarian aid and disaster relief conference, by Development 2030 and recognizes Qatar Airways Cargo for its WeQare Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.
November 30, 2022 (Brussels) – Qatar Airways WeQare CSR program consists of focused chapters based on four core pillars: environment, society, economy, and culture. The award explicitly recognizes its chapter 1 program launched in 2020, which commits the organization to transport ‘1 Million Kilos’ free of charge for eligible charities involved in transporting humanitarian aid and medical supplies worldwide.
A committee led by Development2030 adjudicates nominations for the annual award. Airlink, a US-based global disaster logistics nonprofit that supports a network of 130 disaster response charities and NGOs responding to natural and man-made disasters, nominated Qatar Airways Cargo for the award. Airlink and Qatar Airways Cargo have partnered together since the launch of the 2020 WeQare chapter 1 pillar. As a result of the commitment to donated cargo capacity, Airlink and its nonprofit partners have transported 200 tonnes of humanitarian aid over that period.
Free freight services
ifty separate shipments were coordinated, benefiting hospitals, local governments, and community-based organizations in nearly 20 countries. As a result of this initiative, 28 nonprofit organizations had access to air freight services free of charge, saving more than $1.2 million in transportation costs and reaching more than 4,337,457 people with life-saving supplies.
Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways, said, “We are always looking at ways we can help those in the greatest difficulty. ‘1 Million Kilos’ was the first chapter in our sustainability project called WeQare. Built on the four fundamental pillars of sustainability (economy, environment, society and culture). WeQare is a series of concrete air cargo actions we have designed to create a positive impact on the industry and the world. We are honoured to have been awarded best CSR programme at the AidEx 2022 Awards and for the industry recognising our efforts in pioneering socially responsible air cargo.”
In March 2022, Airlink and Qatar Airways signed a renewed agreement of support, with the airline pledging a further 500 tons of free cargo space over three years. Through this agreement, Airlink and Qatar Airways Cargo have moved nearly 250 tons of aid on behalf of a network of humanitarian aid nonprofits supporting responses in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Horn of Africa.
“We are thrilled that Qatar Airways Cargo has been recognized for its extensive commitment to supporting the delivery of humanitarian aid across the globe,” said Steve Smith, President and CEO of Airlink. “Transport costs are one of the biggest and most volatile components of any aid program. Qatar Airways Cargo’s commitment has enabled Airlink to support critical post-disaster missions, and without their support, it is doubtful whether many of these would have been possible.”