The UAE’s prestigious airline Emirates is offering Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to transport essential flood relief goods through the International Humanitarian City to Pakistan free of charges.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman, Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group announced the decision.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, have directed urgent aid to Pakistan, mobilising people and businesses across the UAE, and said we’re ready to play our part.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed said on Twitter, “To support communities in Pakistan affected by floods, Emirates is offering cargo capacity free of charge for NGOs to transport essential relief goods through the International Humanitarian City.”

Flood victims use an inflatable tube as they travel in flood waters in Dera Allah Yar, Pakistan. Reuters

On Thursday, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid directed urgent aid worth Dhs50 million to provide relief to those affected by the floods in Pakistan.

The aid, which will be provided by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), in cooperation with the World Food Programme and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment (MBRCH), will be in the form of direct food support to individuals and families affected by the massive floods that hit Pakistan, killing over 1,136 people, displacing millions, destroying more than 3,450 kilometres of vital roads and isolating entire villages.

During the past weeks, rainfall has exceeded four times the rates recorded during the past 30 years in Pakistan.