The European Union has set up, with several NGOs, a humanitarian air bridge to deliver emergency aid to the populations of several regions of the country, threatened by famine. This series of flights aims to bring NGO partners, including Action Against Hunger, therapeutic food and medical supplies to remote areas of the country that are only accessible by air.
This airlift set up by the European Union comes at an important time since there are many displaced families in Somalia because of the drought. We have seen an increase in consultations in our centres, whether for health or nutrition issues. In the areas affected by this operation, their number has tripled in recent weeks. Normally in other areas we can transport our aid by road. But this airlift is all the more important for the targeted regions that they are inaccessible, due to insecurity. The only way to get our aid there is by air. But we find it increasingly difficult to do so, because there are few airlines that operate flights to these regions. The airlift that has been put in place therefore allows us to be able to transport aid quickly to the targeted areas.
Ahmed Khalif, Director of Action Against Hunger Somalia
The EU has allocated 800,000 euros for this ” major logistics operation “. It should require between 50 and 70 flights and the first plane was to take off on Wednesday, heading for southwestern Somalia. It will transport 6.5 tonnes of therapeutic food and medical supplies for the humanitarian organization Action Against Hunger, an EU partner, the EU executive said. Several other flights are scheduled between Wednesday and July 11 to the regions of Baidoa, Luuq and Wajid.