Medical Supplies Delivery By Air Services A Big Boost for Pacific
Countries and territories of the Pacific Islands and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reached a milestone yesterday.
They launched the humanitarian air service in the region. The first flight, from Nadi to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea by a Fiji Airways Boeing 737-800, completed yesterday, delivered 44 cubic metres of essential medical supplies. They will be used in the Government of Papua New Guinea’s response to COVID-19.
The supplies
The supplies, including protective masks, suits and gloves, thermometers, and ventilators were transported on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum. This was in support of the Pacific Humanitarian Pathway on COVID-19 – a regional co-ordination platform established by the 18 countries of the forum to facilitate timely and rapid movement of medical and humanitarian assistance across the region. Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor said: “The humanitarian air service flights are a welcome demonstration that the Pacific Humanitarian Pathway on COVID-19 is doing what leaders intended, which is protecting citizens and supporting health systems.
“We welcome continued partnership and support as the pathway provides a mechanism led by and for Pacific nations to help meet their needs while respecting COVID-19 border shutdowns, special entry protocols and safety for our Pacific nations.”
Air transport
The closure of airports and grounding of aircrafts as a result of COVID-19 prevention measures has dramatically reduced commercial air services.
This is placing stress on the region’s supply chains and making it increasingly challenging for humanitarian and health organisations to get vital supplies and personnel to where they are needed most.
Director of WFP Pacific MultiCountry Office Jo Pilgrim said: “For the countries and territories of the Pacific islands, air and sea transport is nothing short of a lifeline. WFP is proud to be working with Pacific Island governments and humanitarian partners to restore certainty to the supply chain and ensure the delivery of urgently-required medical supplies to the frontlines of the pandemic. “I would like to thank our donors, including the Government of Australia for their continued support to WFP’s operations in the Pacific, and for making this air service a reality.”
The Pacific humanitarian air service is part of the greater Pacific Humanitarian Team COVID-19 Response Plan – a comprehensive regional response plan that seeks to consolidate efforts by UN agencies, governments, regional and multilateral organisations, NGOs, donors and development partners.