WFP reduces air service for aid workers in Sudan
June 10, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said yesterday it would cut back air service for around 14,000 aid workers who travel to Darfur and other parts of Sudan due to a lack of funding for the Humanitarian Air Service.
WFP-HAS, the air service run by WFP on behalf of the entire humanitarian community in Sudan, must cut one helicopter immediately and two fixed-wing aircraft on 19 June from its fleet because it is unable to cover the costs of carrying aid workers to remote parts of Darfur and southern Sudan.
Also, fees for helicopter flights in Darfur will increase from 1 July, a WFP statement said on Tuesday.
The WFP air service has facing since last March possible closure. Through this measure the WFP aims at keeping “vital service” indicated Kenro Oshidari, WFP’s Representative in Sudan
WFP-HAS needs to $20 million by June 15 in order to avoid some of the cuts and maintain full service through the coming months. The total UNHAS shortfall is $48 million on the $77 million budget for this year.
As a direct result of the announced cuts Darfur helicopter fleet is reduced to five from six.About 3,000 humanitarian workers use WFP helicopters each month to reach remote parts of Darfur, where travel by road is impossible due to insecurity, banditry or poor road conditions.
Also, Helicopter fees will be increased as of July 1. The user fees paid by humanitarian passengers on helicopters will be raised to $100 per flight, from the current $40. This makes the helicopter fee equal to that of the fixed wing aircraft.
The WFP said it will further reduce flights to Darfur and South Sudan as of June 19.
Flights to Darfur from the capital Khartoum will be reduced to five days a week from six. Service to Juba will be reduced to three flights a week from four, while service to Rumbek and Malakal will be reduced to two flights a week from three.
The cuts announced today will reduce monthly spending from $6.2 million to $5.2 million. About 70 per cent of the budget supports Darfur humanitarian activities.
(ST)