Central African Republic - United Nations Humanitarian Air Service - WFP 2013

July 2013 - A rebellion in the Central African Republic that escalated in December 2012 unleashed a wave of violence displacement and destruction culminating in the overthrow of the country's president in March 2013. The United Nations estimates that 4.6 million people have been either directly or indirectly affected by widespread violence over the last seven months and humanitarian needs in many parts of the country have significantly increased. The World Food Programme (WFP) the food assistance arm of the United Nations is the largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger in the world. WFP provides food assistance to vulnerable populations to address hunger and global food insecurity. Building on its logistical capacity the WFP manages the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) which supports humanitarian operations in a number of protracted humanitarian emergencies. UNHAS provides safe and reliable air services to humanitarian agencies enabling them to access remote locations that are difficult or even impossible to reach by road. With the support of DFATD and other donors the WFP-UNHAS provides safe reliable responsive and efficient air services to facilitate the work of humanitarian agencies throughout the Central African Republic.

The expected outputs for this project include: (1) safe reliable and efficient passenger air transport service is provided to over 27 locations in the Central African Republic enabling over 40 humanitarian agencies to access remote communities in need of assistance; (2) transportation of light cargo is undertaken for humanitarian agencies; and (3) timely medical and security evacuation services for humanitarian workers in remote locations are carried out. The expected intermediate outcome is reduced vulnerability of crisis-affected people especially women and children.