easyJet launches onboard emergency collection to support UNICEF's response to devastating flash floods in Nepal

easyJet has today launched its emergency collection to support UNICEF’s Children’s Emergency Fund in Nepal, helping UNICEF reach children and families affected by the devastating flash floods. An estimated 65,000 people, including 22,100 children, have been affected across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Tanahun districts.

Damage to water and sanitation infrastructure across the affected areas has left many families without reliable access to safe water and hygiene facilities. With people forced to leave their homes and shelter in overcrowded host households, the risk of disease outbreaks is growing significantly and for many families, the loss of homes and livelihoods can leave children vulnerable and in need of urgent protection and support. The floods have also disrupted children's access to healthcare, nutrition services and education, while many children remain in need of protection and mental health support.

UNICEF has already reached around 19,000 people with critical water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support. Working alongside Government and local partners, UNICEF is supporting disease prevention through hygiene awareness and community engagement initiatives. As access to affected areas improves, UNICEF will continue to scale up support, including critical emergency water supplies, temporary sanitation and handwashing facilities. But more help is needed to match the scale of devastation in Nepal.

easyJet customers can make a world of difference by supporting UNICEF and its partners to deliver immediate, life-saving support to the children and families affected by this devastating event and other ongoing emergencies around the world.

easyJet’s dedicated cabin crew will be collecting donations during their inflight service from throughout September, giving customers the opportunity to donate at the same time as making in-flight purchases.

The price of a breakfast tea could, for example, help provide 400 water purification tablets, helping protect families when clean water supplies are compromised or 12 bars of soap – simple essentials that can help protect families from the spread of disease.

Michael Brown, easyJet’s Director of Cabin Services, said:

“easyJet is proud to support UNICEFs Children’s Emergency Fund, helping deliver critical aid to the most vulnerable children around the world.

“The devastating floods in Nepal highlight just how vital rapid humanitarian support is both in protecting children and families when natural disasters strike, as well as supporting recovery efforts in the weeks and months to follow.

“Small onboard donations can make a big difference and we’d like to thank our customers and crew for their generosity and for continuing to get behind this incredible cause.”

Andy Todd, Director of Partnerships at UNICEF UK said:

“Just a week ago, children in the areas affected by flooding in Nepal were going to school, playing with friends and spending time with their families. For thousands of children, that changed in a matter of minutes.

“We are grateful to easyJet, its crew and customers for supporting UNICEF's Children's Emergency Fund, helping us reach children affected by this emergency in Nepal and in crises around the world.”

“In countries like Nepal, which are prone to natural disasters, UNICEF prepositions emergency supplies, helping to ensure support reaches those in need within the first 24 hours. This is why flexible funding – like the funding provided by easyJet to UNICEF - is so important. It allows us to prepare before emergencies happen, respond rapidly when they do, and adapt as children's needs evolve.

For further information, please contact the easyJet Press Office via mediacentre.easyJet.com/contacts or on 01582 525252

Notes to editors

About easyJet

easyJet is one of Europe’s largest airlines offering a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe's primary airports with great value fares and friendly service. easyJet flies on more of Europe’s most popular routes than any other airline and carried more than 100 million passengers in 2024. The airline has over 340 aircraft flying on over 1,000 routes to more than 160 airports across 35 countries. Over 300 million Europeans live within one hour's drive of an easyJet airport.

easyJet aims to be a good corporate citizen, employing people on local contracts in nine countries across Europe in full compliance with national laws and recognising their trade unions. The airline supports several local charities and has a corporate partnership with UNICEF which has raised over £17m for the most vulnerable children since it was established in 2012.

In 2022, easyJet published its roadmap to net zero by 2050. The roadmap, which also features a combination of fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, airspace modernisation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel and carbon removal technology, has set an ambitious interim carbon emissions intensity reduction target of 35% by 2035, validated by the Science-based targets initiative (SBTi). The airline’s ultimate aim is to fully transition its fleet to zero carbon emission technology, which it will achieve through a number of strategic partnerships including with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace Solutions. Since 2000, the airline has successfully reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by one-third.

Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA – since launching nearly 30 years ago, easyJet changed the way people fly to the present day where the airline leads the industry in digital and operational innovations to make travel more easy and affordable for its passengers. In 2023 easyJet was named by TIME as one of the World’s Best Companies and a Leader in Diversity 2024 by The Financial Times.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.

United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).

For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on,Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

UNICEF does not endorse any company brand, product or service.