“I just observed what a central driver for the humanitarian agencies from everywhere was, not only for UN agencies, and it was the only organization that could do that,” said Stroumboulopouls, actor, media interviewer and producer, which now also serves as an ambassador for the Word Food (WFP) program, which directs the life service.
The Cessna 208 Caravan Fleet is one of the most used aircraft present in its operations.
For two decades, UNHAS has been providing vital air links that allow several UN agencies to offer humanitarian workers and assistance to difficult access regions.
From the Covid pandemic, when commercial flights go out, to the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the service has followed in some of the most challenging circumstances imaginable.
But with fewer funds available, infinal flights and vital resources they transport are in danger of stopping in the air.
“What we are trying to do here is to obtain the political support of the Member States to let them know that we have the promise of not leaving anyone behind, and it is very important that we maintain funds for the UNHAS.” Hedley Tah, head of external relations for service at an emerging infesa exhibition during the high -level week in New York.
A more efficient system
Identifying and correcting inefficiencies is one of the objectives of the UNA80 initiative, the UN Reform Plan was implemented by the Secretary General António Guterres earlier this year.
UNCO is an example of a system that is already thin and efficient, according to Mr. Tah, since it is a centralized service used by more than 600 UN organizations, relieving them to have the configuration or pay on their own.
“We can do that for the entire humanitarian community,” he said. “We can allow other organizations to concentrate more on their programmatic mandates while executing the supply chain for them, making sure that profits are made in terms of efficiency.”
He pointed out that 70 percent of the costs associated with humanitarian aid come from supply chains, which implies flights and distribution.
“A small percentage of cost savings with a supply chain can lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in savings,” and this is where Unders comes into play.
Emerging exhibition of the Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) at the UN Headquarters during the High Level Week of the General Assembly.
‘Make more with less’
Compared to last year, Unhas now has 50 percent less funds to do your job.
“That affects our response to the humanitarian community,” said Mr. Tah. “But, nevertheless, now we are doing more with less.”
To continue operating effectively despite the financing challenges, the service has reduced the number of airplanes and renegotiated its contracts. While flights are based on some destinations, they still reach 21 countries.
According to the annual WFP review of last year, the aviation service strategy up to 2028 includes improvements in fleet preparation, emergency implementation mechanisms and digital reserve systems.
“The type of experience required to achieve what makes infal is incomparable,” said Stromboulopoulos, who flew with the service in Syria last year.
“I can’t imagine the level of anguish and pain and loss of lives, loss and dignity, loss and hope that comes if you don’t have something like infes.”
What makes flights special?
- In the last decade, more than 3.8 million humanitarian workers have flown with Unders, providing hope and help to save lives to communities with need.
- In 2024, alone, thousands of cargo metric tons were transported in 21 countries, according to the annual report.
- A small and versatile plane, Cessna 208 caravan is one of the most used aircraft. The plane has the ability to take off and land on short and not paved clues, ideal for regions that lack roads and airport infrastructure.
- This resistant aircraft can withstand high temperatures thanks to its powerful turbopropopulsor engine, which consumes less fuel than traditional reaction engines.
- The plane takes to 12 humanitarian workers per flight. Other aircraft in use of UNHAS include the Airbus Super Puma H215 helicopter and the Havilland Canada Dash-8 plane.