DHAKA:  Qatar Airways and its freight subsidiary Qatar Airways Cargo supported by Qatar Red Crescent and its Little Hearts mission to perform 100 heart surgeries for critically-ill children in Bangladesh.

This project spanned over eight days starting from 20 to 28 July of 2019.

The national carrier of the State of Qatar has delivered medical supplies and equipment to support the Little Hearts’ mission to perform 100 heart surgeries for critically-ill children over eight days

The award-winning airline has assisted the Little Hearts Mission by air freighting medical supplies with a team of Red Crescent volunteer doctors to support the surgeries which will take place at the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, in Dhaka, for children in need and suffering from heart conditions.

In addition, Qatar Airways has also teamed up with the Qatar-based Box of Happiness Charity, led by Alya Al-Maadheed, to deliver toys to the children as they come out of the hospital. The hope is to place a box in every child’s hand as they are discharged to go home after bravely facing such a surgery.

Qatar Airways Country Manager, Mr. Jayaprakash Nair, said: “Qatar Airways is pleased to be able to lend a hand to these courageous children and to the dedicated team of volunteers who are committed to improving their quality of life. I am humbled by the great difficulties faced by these brave youngsters and proud that Qatar Airways can be a part of transforming the lives of these children.”

“We hope that the Box of Happiness each child receives as they start their journey to recuperation will make the experience of undergoing surgery less fearful and help them to move forward to a happy and healthy life ahead,” he also said.

Box of Happiness Founder, Alya Al-Maadheed, said: “The journey to reach this point has been a long one and I am overjoyed we are finally here. There are not enough words to express my appreciation to Qatar Airways for making our dreams come true, and helping us spread happiness among underprivileged children around the world. It was such an honor seeing the smiles on the children’s faces.”    

Qatar Airways supports a variety of initiatives regarding their corporate social responsibility, as evident by the airline’s Educate a Child partnership which aims to considerably reduce the number of children worldwide who are denied their fundamental right to education.

Qatar Airways also works with Orbis Charitable Trust, Save the Dream (International Center for Sports Security) and many more social projects and community support charities.

The airline launched its first flight to Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, in December 1995 and now it flies three times daily between Doha and Dhaka providing up to 14,000 seats each week to and from the country. The airline connects Dhaka to over 160 destinations worldwide, including key destinations in the Gulf, Europe and Americas.   

Qatar Airways Cargo currently operates eight freighters every week to Dhaka, offering more than 1000 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity into and out of Bangladesh. True to its tagline, “Moved by people” the cargo division actively supports CSR activities globally and supports the airline’s goal of giving back to the society and bringing joy to people around the world.

BDST: 1707 HRS, JULY 30, 2019

AH