The emergency appeal, which launched at the end of last week on all easyJet flights, is in addition to easyJet and Unicef’s wider campaign, the ‘Change for Good’ partnership, which is working towards supporting the eradication of Polio. The onboard donations from passengers will be collected on easyJet’s 6500 flights per week for two weeks, which span across the airline’s pan-European network of over 700 routes across more than 32 countries.
All of the money raised through passenger donations will help Unicef to continue to deliver life-saving supplies including hospital beds, life-saving food, gloves, and soap. There are currently over 15,000 people infected with the disease, with over 5,400 having already died from Ebola.
International Development Secretary, Justine Greening said:
“Britain will match pound for pound up to £5 million of donations made to this appeal, making the generosity of easyJet passengers go twice as far. This support will make a real difference helping the people of West Africa to fight this terrible disease.”
Carolyn McCall, easyJet’s Chief Executive said:
"Our long-term partnership with Unicef means that we are able to help those children affected by Ebola with our emergency onboard appeal. Everyone at easyJet is conscious of the devastating impact Ebola is having and fully support this. We hope our support and the generosity of our passengers will make a difference."
David Bull, Unicef UK’s Executive Director added:
"The contributions from easyJet and its passengers will enable us to protect so many more children whose lives are in danger from this deadly disease and help us reach those who have been left traumatised and alone after losing loved ones. I urge all easyJet passengers over the next couple of weeks to dig deep and donate any spare change they have so we can help protect these children and give them hope for the future.”
The on-board collection will run until 8th December.