UPDATE ON WFP UNHAS SUDAN

Since 2004, the WFP United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) in Sudan has continued to sustain what is the largest humanitarian operation in the world providing passenger and light cargo air service, medical and security evacuations. Working on behalf of over 200 international and non-governmental organizations, UNHAS Sudan provides the transportation backbone to the entire humanitarian community in Sudan.

Five years down the road, the need for humanitarian assistance remains immense for millions of vulnerable people throughout Sudan. The security situation continues to be volatile because of the ongoing conflict in Darfur, lack of road infrastructure in the South and increased banditry attacks targeting humanitarian agencies.

The proliferation of recovery and development projects in South Sudan facilitated by the prevailing peace between North and South since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, combined with the massive humanitarian response to the continuing conflict in Darfur, has increased demand for the continuation of a humanitarian air service.

“Responding to medical and security evacuations is very rewarding because we see ourselves saving lives through timely responses where no other means is available. We conducted over 300 medical and security evacuations in 2008. Timing of intervention is critical for life and death of people in need,” said Chief Air Transport Officer Samson Mwangi of UNHAS Sudan.

With expulsion of 16 NGOs operating in Darfur, passenger traffic has greatly reduced however the operational needs on our fleet remains high. We have reduced staff and who are now required to stay for shorter periods in one location as they have to cover more areas.

Providing uninterrupted access to the populations in need remains a top priority. 18 Aviation Officers manage the operation served by 22 aircrafts (18 fixed-wing and 4 helicopters). In 2008, UNHAS Sudan carried 210,000 people and 1,600MT of cargo flying 23,000 hours to serve 61 destinations in the North of Sudan and Darfur, and 47 locations in South Sudan in nine main hubs, Khartoum, Nyala, El Fasher, Geneina, Malakal, Wau, Rumbek, Juba and Loki..

WFP UNHAS in Sudan faces funding shortfall to keep afloat this vital service. In 2009, WFP UNHAS Sudan operation requires US$89 millions. Samson also added “Other than the hush environmental conditions we work in, being a donor funded project is very challenging in terms of getting funds in a timely manner to keep this vital service. You get involved in meeting, justifications, negotiations and re-negotiations and at times with no funds coming forward. On the other hand, you have agencies looking up at you to keep the service running.”

In 2009, over 160,000 passengers are estimated to use the UNHAS air service. The number of passengers will expected to grow after the decision that UNHAS Sudan will lower the ticket price from $200 to $100 effective 1^st May for deep field locations. This will enable the humanitarian community increase accessibility to over 100 remote locations across the country.