Provision of Humanitarian Air Services in Central African Republic

This Special Operation is established to provide air transport assistance to the humanitarian community in the Central African Republic (C.A.R.). According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about 2.3 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, including the internally displaced population . Renewed violence in some parts of the country in September has led to a significant reduction of the humanitarian space. Many aid organizations have relocated staff out of the most affected locations leaving in its wake, multiplication of crisis hot spots and a drastic reduction of operational capacity of humanitarian actors. However, continuing insecurity and poor transportation networks severely limit access to vulnerable populations.

The recent violence has further exacerbated the fragile living conditions of the population. The departure of humanitarian actors in the Kaga Bandoro area of Nana Gribizi Prefecture, will have significant impact on an estimated 120,000 people who are food insecure and rely on assistance with additional 35,000 internally displaced persons who may not receive food aid from the World Food Programme as a result . Resumption of humanitarian activities will depend on the stabilization of the security situation. Access to the affected population will be crucial to avert a large-scale humanitarian disaster.

On behalf of the humanitarian community, UNHAS will serve approximately 28 regular destinations with four aircraft.