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Aviation

Copyright: WFP/Peter Casier
Where emergencies are sudden, roads unusable or security conditions hamper access by surface means, air transport is the fastest way to transport humanitarian personnel and cargo to disaster hot spots. In these types of environments, where no safe and reliable commercial option exists, WFP provides humanitarian air services to support relief, recovery and reconstruction operations.

After managing humanitarian air operations for more than 20 years in Africa, Asia and the Americas, WFP now provides passenger air services to the entire humanitarian community through the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service. UNHAS provides air services to more than 200 locations worldwide for 700.

WFP also arranges strategic airlifts to deliver food and humanitarian cargo for WFP and other humanitarian agencies. During emergencies, WFP operates heavy-lift helicopters to deliver vital assistance to areas inaccessible due to damaged infrastructure, extreme weather events or insecurity.

In order to align its operations to best practices in the aviation industry, WFP Aviation not only conducts a series of trainings for staff, but also employs a quality assurance system as well as international safety standards enforced by an independent Aviation Safety Unit.
 

In recognition of the role of air services to the overall mission of United Nations and the entire humanitarian community, the High Level Committee on Management (HLCM) in 2003 mandated WFP to provide air services to the UN humanitarian agencies and their cooperating partners. This led to the founding of the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS). Since then, WFP UNHAS has flown more than 327,000 hours, carrying more than 1.4 million passengers and 440,000 metric tons of cargo. In 2009, monthly average of 26,700 passengers, 820 metric tons of cargo is transported in 3,600 flight using 58 aircraft.
 

UNHAS does not own any aircraft but relies on approved operators (AOCholders) selected through a confidential e-tendering process. UNHAS complies with the United Nations Common Aviation Safety Standards (AVSTADS) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines. WFP has an independent Aviation Safety Unit (ASU), a functional Aviation Training and Quality Assurance units to support its operations.
 
For more details on WFP Aviation, please click here to see their brochure.