The European Union has contributed EUR 4 million ($4.6 million) to the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) in Afghanistan, ensuring continued operations that provide a vital lifeline for aid workers and relief supplies, the World Food Programme (WFP) said Tuesday.
The funding will allow UNHAS to maintain flights that connect humanitarian agencies, NGOs and diplomatic missions to some of Afghanistan’s most remote and hard-to-reach communities.
“Ensuring the safe transport of humanitarian personnel … as well as delivering life-saving cargo to remote areas, is essential,” said Francois Goemans, head of the EU’s humanitarian aid office in Afghanistan. “We remain committed to supporting the most vulnerable communities across Afghanistan.”
UNHAS currently serves more than 100 humanitarian organizations in the country. Since January, it has operated more than 1,600 flights to 20 destinations — 18 within Afghanistan, including 14 regular and four on-demand routes, and two international connections, WFP said.
“Behind every UNHAS flight is a story of hope — of aid delivered, lives saved, and communities connected to the support they urgently need,” said John Aylieff, WFP’s country director in Afghanistan.
The WFP described UNHAS as a humanitarian lifeline, helping aid reach communities cut off by Afghanistan’s vast terrain and insecurity.
