Congo, The Democratic Republic of
The demand for WFP UNHAS passenger air service is increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo as more humanitarian players get involved in relief works and increase their presence in the country. Recent military operations in the Eastern Provinces have further increased the need for humanitarian assistance to populations with numerous displacements and disruptions of activities. Currently, about 800 passengers are transported per month on UNHAS flights. WFP UNHAS passengers in DRC comprise 40 percent UN agencies’ staff, 57 percent from the NGOs and 3 percent from Donors and governments.
One of Africa’s largest and naturally rich countries has been a field of conflicts especially in the North-Eastern and Eastern Provinces. Travel by road remains impossible in many regions due to lack of infrastructure combined with insecurity and seasonal rains. A study conducted in December 2008 confirmed that the humanitarian community faces great difficulties in flying from the West to the East of DRC and locally in the Eastern and Southern parts of the country. As a result, UNHAS resumed operation in May 2009 with 2 aircraft and later in September, augmented its capacity with one additional aircraft. In addition, WFP/UNHAS also supports Aviation sans Frontieres - France (ASF) operations - fully funded by OCHA / DRC Pooled Fund - with two 12-seat Caravan aircraft for operations from Kisangani and Mbandaka.
