CARE Australia and Virgin Australia today announced a partnership to support CARE’s work with thousands of poor communities in the Asia-Pacific region.

The partnership begins with Virgin Australia’s major sponsorship of the Walk In Her Shoes Challenge, which sees thousands of Australians walking 25, 50 or 100 kilometres over one week, replicating the distances that women and girls overseas walk each day for water, food and healthcare.

Virgin Australia’s support also includes providing flights for CARE aid workers to reach poor communities and helping CARE to deploy staff experts to assist communities affected by emergencies in the Asia-Pacific region.

This support has already begun, with Virgin Australia supporting CARE to get additional staff into Vanuatu after Cyclone Pam devastated the Pacific Island nation.

Each year, CARE Australia directly helps more than two million people across 23 countries, with a strong focus on working with some of Asia-Pacific’s poorest communities to help deliver lasting, sustainable change.

Virgin Australia Group Executive Public Affairs Danielle Keighery said, “CARE Australia has an outstanding history of supporting millions in some of the poorest communities across the region and as a major provider of vital air services in the Asia Pacific region, Virgin Australia is proud to be standing alongside CARE to help support the region.”

CARE Australia CEO, Dr Julia Newton-Howes said the partnership with Virgin Australia was built on the shared belief that Australians have the power to change thousands of lives for the better.

“Virgin Australia has demonstrated that it is strongly committed to supporting the community. We are thrilled that Virgin Australia will be supporting our work across the region. This partnership will help to ensure that every dollar Australians donate to CARE goes further,” she said.

Dr Newton-Howes added that Virgin Australia’s support would be critical in helping CARE deliver life-saving aid during times of international crises.

“While we hope that disasters never occur, the reality is the Asia-Pacific is the most disaster-prone region on earth. When disasters do inevitably strike, like Cyclone Pam devastating Vanuatu, we’re tremendously grateful to know that the Virgin Australia team will be working with us to reach people who need our help.”

CARE Australia is an international humanitarian aid organisation fighting poverty, with a special focus on working with women and girls to bring lasting change to their communities www.care.org.au.