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Dublin - The massive economic cost of disasters in the world far outstrips the finances available and that is why airlines are implored to join increased coordinated efforts.
This call went out ahead of the start of the 72nd annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association (Iata) taking place in Dublin this week.
According to Christine South of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the economic impact of the growing number of disasters in the world means funds are not available for development and investment elsewhere.
She emphasised that a growing number of people are affected by disasters globally and it is predicted that it will increase even more in the future. It has especially escalated over the past ten years and is mostly related to weather conditions.
The IFRC has 17 million volunteers present in 190 countries and reaches about 150 million people per year. In 2015 alone it responded to 33 major emergency disasters, 122 small to medium ones and 450 everyday "events".
"Remember, many disasters the IFRC responds to on a daily basis don't even make the main media news," said South.
She emphasised that the IFRC tries to work more and better with airline companies in providing disaster relief.
"We need to be cost effective and innovative in our approach. Without the support of the aviation industry we could not respond quickly. The aviation industry can also help us in doing preparation work in areas prone to disasters."
In her view the Iata AGM provides an ideal platform to network with the aviation industry in order to help it act as what she calls "a force for good".
Deborah Waddon, communications manager of the Airbus Foundation, also emphasised how important it is for the aviation industry to work together in coordinating humanitarian missions. She added that so far the foundation has delivered 630 tonnes of aid to five regions in the world in coordination with its four official partner non-profit organisations.
"But there is much more scope for more airlines to join our efforts," she said. She too sees the Iata AGM as a good place to network for good.
"It is about CEOs and COOs of airlines deciding they want to be part of this kind of humanitarian aid as part of their corporate social responsibility."
She told Fin24 that South African Airlines (SAA) is one of the African airlines which has been involved with the foundation in the past.
Steve Smith, the executive director of Airlink, a charity which links airlines to disaster response, said there are about 125 million people in the world in need of humanitarian assistance. This is the most since World War II and about the size of the population of Japan.
At the same time, it is estimated that about 60% of humanitarian funding goes to the supply chain - for instance coordinating and moving aid.
"We must, therefore, do things differently. There are a lot of protracted conflicts and the demand for aid is increasing. Without working together, we are not going to be able to keep up," he said.
"This should be a wakeup call for governments and the private sector alike. Humanitarian aid is everyone's responsibility."
During the ebola crisis, Airlink, for instance, coordinated with 11 airlines to move 1.5 tonnes of cargo and relief workers to West Africa.
* Fin24 is a guest of Iata at its AGM.
