A statement issued jointly by the three organisations said the facilitation was done by utilising the delivery flight of Ethiopian Airlines’ newest A350 XWB. “The goods are destined to provide relief to drought prone areas in the East African region,” it said.

The humanitarian cargo consisted of diarrhoeal disease kits, emergency food rations, interagency emergency health kits and clothing. It said the goods would be handed over to the Ethiopian Airlines Foundation, the Ethiopian Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs and the National Disaster Risk Management Commission for further distribution to refugee camps, as well as health stations.

According to the statement, Tewolde GebreMariam, Group Chief Executive Officer Ethiopian Airlines said: “We are honoured to be working with humedica, Aviation without Borders and the Airbus Foundation to perform this humanitarian flight.

“The acceptance of our latest A350 XWB is made more meaningful as we transport much needed relief goods to the drought affected areas in the region.”He said Ethiopian Airlines would continue with its leadership role in fulfilling its Corporate Social Responsibilities, focusing as much on sustainability and social responsibility as on pure business performance.

“Whenever possible, we try to use delivery flights of new aircraft to our customers to ship medical or humanitarian donations to countries or regions in need,” Mr Fabrice Brégier, President Airbus Commercial Aircraft said.

Mr Brégier, who is also a member of the Airbus Foundation’s Board of Directors, according to the statement, said: “I will like to thank Ethiopian Airlines, humedica, Aviation without Borders and all partners involved in the organization for their tireless efforts and logistics support to successfully execute this mission.”