MISSISSAUGA -- Planeloads of vital medicine and clean water kits are heading to flood-stricken areas of the Dominican Republic and Mexico on planes usually stocked with vacation-seekers.

"We're so fortunate to be able to partner with some corporations here in Canada such as Skyservice and Signature Vacations," Rahul Singh, director of emergency programs for Global Medic, said.

"These people are great. They send thousands upon thousands of Canadian vacationers to the Dominican Republic and they've been kind enough to donate air cargo space and some seats for our disaster team to get down there. We've got a lot of people in need for some humanitarian aid."

About $1.5 million in medical aid is heading to the Dominican to help deal with the ravages of Hurricane Noel, which killed about 140 people across the Caribbean and cut power to thousands of Nova Scotians as well.

Another $2 million is destined for Mexico's southern states of Chiapas and Tabasco, where flooding and mudslides have killed dozens and left thousands homeless.

Global Medic sends volunteer disaster response teams -- made up of Toronto Police, paramedics and firefighters -- to natural disasters all over the world.

"We at Skyservice, in conjunction with Signature Vacations, send many Canadians on vacations to the Dominican Republic," said Heather McCarten, manager of charter sales for Skyservice Airlines. "This is a great opportunity for us to give something back to the community."