Helicopter helps Red Cross aid efforts in Dominica
Airbus Helicopters Foundation has provided support to humanitarian relief operations in the Caribbean island nation of Dominica.
Image: Héliblue Helicoptère
Airbus Helicopters Foundation has provided support to ongoing humanitarian relief operations in the Caribbean island nation of Dominica, which was hit with heavy rainfall and mudslides in the wake of tropical storm Erika in August.
Chartering an H120 helicopter from Martinique-based operator Héliblue Helicoptère, the Foundation said it has been able to support assessment flights over the island in partnership with the Red Cross. Volunteers are still working in Dominica to provide support for the more than 300 people evacuated from the storm’s path.
“Thanks to the support of the Airbus Helicopters Foundation, we have been able to identify specific areas where our help is the most needed and where we have to focus our efforts,” said Stephen Omollo, head of strategic partnerships and international relations for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). “We are also able to better quantify the number of people in need, which is invaluable for our humanitarian response.”
Following initial flights in the H120, aid workers have been able to identify that some 8,000 people are without water, said Airbus, which represents nearly half of the entire island. As of 17 September, nine areas had been classified as special disaster areas and multiple health centres were no longer operational. The Red Cross is continuing its efforts to provide relief to those in need and will perform additional flights according to the needs of relief organisations on the ground.