“I just saw how it was a central engine for humanitarian agencies everywhere – not just the United Nations agencies – and it was the only organization that could do so,” said Stroumboulopoulos, actor, interviewer and producer of the media, which also serves as an ambassador for the Word Food Program (Wfp), which manages the rescue service.
The fleet of UNHAS Cessna 208 caravans is one of the most used planes present in its operations.
For two decades, UNHAS has provided vital air links that allow various United Nations agencies to deliver humanitarian workers and assistance to difficult to access regions.
From the cocovid pandemic – when commercial flights stop – towards the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the service continues in some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable.
But with less funds available, the UNHAS flights and the vital resources they carry, may calculate in the air.
“What we are trying to do here is to obtain political support from the Member States to let them know that we have the promise to leave no one behind, and it is very important that we continue to finance for the United. “Said Hedley Tah, head of external relations for the service during a Pop-Up Unhas exhibition during the high-level week in New York.
One most effective system
Identify and correct ineffectiveness is one of the objectives of the UN80 Initiativethe United Nations system reform plan deployed by Secretary General António Guterres Earlier this year.
Unhas is an example of an already meager and effective system, according to Mr. Tah, since it is a centralized service is used by more than 600 United Nations, relieving them to have set up or pay for their own.
“We are able to do so for the whole humanitarian community,” he said. “We are able to allow other organizations to focus more on their programmatic mandates while we execute the supply chain for them, ensuring that gains are made in terms of efficiency.”
He noted that 70% of the costs associated with humanitarian aid come from supply chains – which involve flights and distribution.
“A small percentage of cost savings with a supply chain can lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in savings”, and this is where the abseaux come into play.
Pop-up Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) exhibition at the United Nations headquarters during the high-level week of the General Assembly.
‘Do more with less’
Compared to last year, Unhas now holds 50% less funding to do his job.
“This affects our response to the humanitarian community,” said Tah. “But nevertheless, we are now doing more with less. »»
To continue to operate effectively despite the financing challenges, the service has reduced the number of planes and renegotiated its contracts. Although thefts are anchored towards certain destinations, they still reach 21 countries.
According to the WFP last year Annual review of the UnhasThe aeronautical service strategy until 2028 includes improvements in preparation for the fleet, emergency deployment mechanisms and digital booking systems.
“The type of expertise required to be able to achieve what Unhas does is unprecedented,” said Stromboulopoulos, who stole with service in Syria last year.
“I cannot imagine the level of sorrow and pain and loss of life of life, loss and dignity, loss and hope that it comes if you do not have something as united. »»
What makes flights special?
- Over the past decade, more than 3.8 million humanitarian workers have stolen with Unhas, bringing hope and vital aid to communities if necessary.
- In 2024, only thousands of metrics of freight were transported in 21 countries, the annual report said.
- A small and versatile jet, the Cessna 208 caravan, is one of the most frequently used planes. The plane has the capacity to take off and land on short and not paved tracks – ideal for regions that lack airport roads and infrastructure.
- This robust plane can withstand high temperatures thanks to its powerful turboprop engine, which consumes less fuel than traditional jet engines.
- The plane carries up to 12 humanitarian workers per flight. The other planes used by the UNIS include the Airbus Super Puma H215 helicopter and the Havilland Canada Dash-8 plane.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
