A Virgin Atlantic cargo flight carrying around £350,000 worth of supplies for survivors of deadly early February earthquakes in Turkey and Syria departed London for Adana on February 14.
The chartered flight is lifting 64 pallets of goods, including 31,000 coats and blankets and 990kg of infant milk powder, with the consignment to be distributed by AFAD, the Turkish government’s aid agency.
The mission, the airline said, is led by Magen David Adom UK and is "a combined effort by a number of organisations, including crisis response charity Goods for Goods, medicines supplier Durban and Virgin Atlantic".
“The loss of life and scenes of destruction in Turkey and Syria following the earthquake are truly devastating. We are doing all we can to support the relief effort and are pleased to once again partner with MDA UK to transport vital supplies to the region," said Virgin chief executive Shai Weiss.
"With sub-zero temperatures compounding the devastation, millions of people across the region continue to lack access to shelter and warmth. That’s why the UK has sent thousands of life-saving items to Turkey and north-west Syria, including tents, thermal blankets and hygiene kits," said aviation minister Baroness Vere.