Humanitarian Air Service in the Democratic Republic of Congo - World Food Programme 2011

31 December 2010 - In north and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) clashes between armed forces rebel groups and various militias continue to wreak severe harm on civilians who are routinely caught in the frontlines of confrontations. The result is extensive humanitarian needs and limited to nonexistent prospects for recovery and development. North Kivu South Kivu and Orientale Province continue to be plagued by serious human rights violations food insecurity high mortality and morbidity rates horrific sexual violence and considerable and ongoing displacement of population groups. Poor road infrastructure and the very high insecurity associated with road travel greatly hinders access to conflict-affected regions for humanitarian agencies. With CIDA support the World Food Programme Humanitarian Air Service (WFP-UNHAS) is providing safe reliable responsive and efficient air service for humanitarian agencies throughout DRC. The UNHAS services are also used to transport light cargo for humanitarian agencies and to carry out emergency medical and security evacuations.