Princess Haya Oversees Humanitarian Airlift to Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a display of international solidarity for Haiti, UN Messenger of Peace HRH Princess Haya Al Hussein arrived in Port-au-Prince Friday with more than 90 metric tonnes of relief supplies for Haitians left devastated by last week's earthquake.

The airlift delivered more than 40 metric tonnes of canned food and high-energy biscuits, and another 50 metric tonnes of hospital tents, water sanitation equipment, prefabricated offices, and computer and telecommunications equipment.  The shipment was organized by the International Humanitarian City (IHC), a global humanitarian and aid hub in Dubai, at the request of the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

"The entire world grieves for the suffering in Haiti. Dubai may be far away, but we join in reaching out to Haitian families who have lost so much and are struggling now just to survive," said Princess Haya. "The sad truth is that Haiti has long been neglected. This earthquake is a collective wakeup call for the international community. We must stay committed to Haitians as they rebuild."

Princess Haya, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, became a UN Messenger Peace in 2007. A former Goodwill Ambassador to the World Food Programme, she also serves as chairperson of the International Humanitarian City. She traveled to Haiti to oversee the aid delivery, meet with Haitian and UN officials, and raise awareness of the need for international assistance

In addition to WFP's cargo, the 747B-400 carried emergency supplies from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, an initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed in 1997 that provides educational, health and economic assistance to developing communities outside the UAE.  Sheikh Mohammed offered the use of his personal aircraft for the airlift. The plane is expected to return to the Middle East with evacuees from Haiti.

SOURCE Office of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein