WFP warns that vital air services providing humanitarian support to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people in West Africa are jeopardised by a shortage of funds.
WFP warned that vital air services providing humanitarian support to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people in West Africa are jeopardised by a shortage of funds. The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) is in urgent need of US$5.1 million to maintain its service transporting aid workers throughout the region.
As well as providing transport for aid workers, the humanitarian air service is also crucial for medical and security evacuations
Thomas Yanga, Regional Director for WFP in West Africa
“As well as providing transport for aid workers, the humanitarian air service is also crucial for medical and security evacuations. A disruption of these operations in West Africa will have serious consequences for the people in need of assistance, and also for the security of our staff,” said Thomas Yanga, Regional Director for WFP in West Africa.
Rising cost of fuel
The rising cost of fuel has placed an additional financial burden on UNHAS in West Africa, and the lack of donor funds has resulted in flights being suspended in some countries.
In the Central African Republic (CAR), where WFP is assisting 300,000 vulnerable people, one airplane has been grounded and a second will have to fly a limited schedule. Despite appeals to donors, the operation – which requires US$2.6 million for the next 6 months -- is at high risk of shutting down by September.
UNHAS
The UNHAS serving the West African coastal region is also under threat and urgently requires US$2.5 million in funds if it is to continue operating until the end of the year. UNHAS planes for this operation allow the humanitarian community to assist vulnerable people, refugees, IDPs and returning refugees in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone through facilitation of movements in and between the four countries.
During the height of the rainy season in CAR, the UNHAS is often the only way for aid workers to travel. Roads become impassable and whole parts of the country – especially the north-eastern region which borders Darfur and eastern Chad – are completely cut off from the capital Bangui. UNHAS has transported more than 1,700 aid workers in CAR since the beginning of this year.
UNHAS operations in West Africa have received the following funding since the beginning of the year: CERF ($2.5 million), USA ($100,000), ECHO ($ 777,000)
