Their News [Archives:2008/1205/Local News]

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November 6 2008

– QATAR AIRWAYS LAUNCHES NEW YORK JFK SERVICE

Qatar Airways has launched scheduled flights to New York's JFK International Airport with a new non-stop service linking America's financial centre with Doha, capital of the State of Qatar.

The new route gives Qatar Airways its second daily non-stop service to America, supplementing existing daily services to the capital, Washington DC.

The JFK service replaces Qatar Airways' one-stop, six-times-a-week operation between Doha and Newark Liberty International Airport, gateway to New York City, which was introduced in June 2007.

Passenger demand to New York's JFK International prompted Qatar Airways to move the flights. As part of the new schedules, Qatar Airways' Geneva service, which was linked to Newark, is now a dedicated non-stop service from Doha, operating four-times-a-week.

The JFK route offers passengers excellent connections across the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of the Far East, via Doha, the airline's operational hub.

Beginning 30th March 2009, Qatar Airways will step up its presence in the US market by linking Doha and Houston – the energy capitals of the Middle East and America respectively.

The new JFK service sees extra capacity through the dedicated non-stop flights, ensuring passengers have more choice.

The New York JFK route is operated with Qatar Airways' fourth and newest Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft, which was delivered by the US aircraft manufacturer just days before the launch. The aircraft features 335 seats in a two-class configuration of 42 seats in Business and 293 in Economy.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “With more than 700 audio and video entertainment options, we have an unrivalled selection for passengers to choose from. More than 150 international movies, over 50 games and hundreds of hours of video and audio programming – this clearly is a 'Multiplex in the Sky'.”

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 64 Airbus and Boeing aircraft from its Doha hub to 83 key business and leisure cities across Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East and North America.

– HUMANITARIAN AID PROVIDED BY THE TURKISH RED CRESCENT

In the aftermath of flood disaster in Yemen, Turkish Red Crescent commenced its aid to brotherly people of Yemen.

In this regard a team from Turkish Red Crescent came to Yemen on 1st of November and began their talks with Yemeni counterparts. After these talks, Turkish aid to Yemen planned as below:

750 packs of supplies in the amount of 30.000 US Dollars, total weight 15 tons. Each pack consists of 5kg rice, 5kg sugar, 2lt oil, 1kg milk powder, 4 cans of bean, 4 cans of broad bean, 3 packs of pasta and 4 bottles of water.

500 packs will be transported to Seyoun, and 250 packs will be delivered to al-Hudayda during to teams visit to Hudayda.

Among all these supplies, 250 packs is the aid of the Islamic Committee for the International Crescent (ICIC).

In addition to said supplies, the Turkish Red Crescent will donate 10.000 USD to Yemeni Red Crescent.

The operation costs of the team will take 10.000 USD for the team. Thus, in toto, Turkish humanitarian aid to Yemen will be 50.000 USD.

– UNICEF Delivers Essential Supplies for Children and Families Hit by Floods in Hadhramout

UNICEF convoy carrying essential supplies left Sana'a earlier this week to deliver a special package of assistance to children and families devastated by flash floods in Hadhramout Governorate of Yemen. Torrential rains culminating in flood water washed away scores of villages in the valley forcing people from their homes. UN agencies started their joint relief operation with the government of Yemen in the first 72 hours and commissioned a rapid assessment to gauge the basic needs of the affected population.

In its aftermath the floods left 98 people dead and thousands displaced with children and women facing the high risk of water borne diseases and exposure to the ravages of harsh winter weather. Around 3,264 households were destroyed.

Over 22 thousand internally displaced persons have taken shelter in 65 schools. Different sites are not accessible by road and precise information on the emergency situation is lacking. Wadi Doan, Tarim and Sah are among the worst hit areas.

The initial assessment showed the dire need for essential items such as safe drinking water, blankets, everyday hygienic supplies of soap, food and non-food items. UNICEF's life saving supplies contain water purification tablets, jerry cans for storing drinking waters, blankets, soap and daily items to help families survive in a time of severe distress. The size and complexity of the natural disaster, that caught local populations unprepared, is beyond the capacity of the government and civil society to handle, UNICEF Representative in Yemen Aboudou Karimou Adjibade remarked on the eve of the departure of UNICEF convoy of supplies, arranged through local procurement. UNICEF is airlifting another bulk supply of water purification tablets from its Copenhagen Office to make sure the threat of water borne diseases is averted.

“UNICEF's major concern is to save children