The World Food Programme (WFP) has just announced the resumption of United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) operations in Haiti, effective from Wednesday November 20, 2024. This resumption follows the resolution of administrative difficulties that had temporarily halted air operations, as indicated in an official statement from the organization.
UNHAS plays a crucial role in transporting humanitarian personnel and light equipment for all humanitarian actors in Haiti, including local and international non-governmental organizations and UN agencies. The WFP was keen to point out that, although UNHAS was not directly involved in the transport of food supplies, this temporary interruption had not compromised food distribution. “The WFP has continued its mission of providing vital food assistance to Haitians, while working on the structural causes of food insecurity”, the statement said.
The United Nations decided to temporarily suspend its air operations in Haiti after armed gangs attacked commercial aircraft.
The attacks also prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US aviation regulator, to ban US airlines from flying to Haiti for a period of 30 days. The ban is intended to protect pilots, flight crews and passengers from risks deemed unacceptable, according to the FAA.
Food distribution and humanitarian assistance
Despite the suspension of UNHAS flights, the WFP has maintained the intensity of its interventions to meet the urgent needs of the Haitian population, in a particularly difficult context marked by growing insecurity and massive population displacements due to the violence. Last weekend, the WFP and its partners set a new record for the daily distribution of hot meals. ”37,935 hot meals were served at 26 different sites in Port-au-Prince and L’Arcahaie,” says the press release. Since January, more than 2 million hot meals have been distributed, prepared mainly with local produce.
At the same time, the WFP is stepping up its direct food aid distributions. “A food distribution operation is currently underway to support 50,000 people in Croix-des-Bouquets, part of a wider program to reach more than 146,000 beneficiaries in various neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince by the end of the month,” details the release. In addition, a cash transfer system, developed in collaboration with the Fonds des Affaires Économiques et Sociales (FAES), will assist over 97,000 people.
Educational and social assistance
WFP’s commitment to education and social welfare remains a top priority. Working closely with the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP), the organization is continuing its ambitious school meals program, serving more than 430,000 schoolchildren nationwide every day. A remarkable aspect of this initiative is the predominant use of local products, as the press release points out: “70% of school meals are prepared entirely with ingredients from local agriculture”.
In addition, the WFP is strengthening its social action in partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST), offering monthly social protection assistance to around 120,000 Haitians.
The WFP’s central role in Haiti
The WFP reaffirms its position as the world’s leading humanitarian organization, using food aid as a strategic lever to preserve lives, consolidate peace and stimulate development in regions affected by conflict, natural disasters or the effects of climate change.
The resumption of UNHAS flights represents a decisive step forward in strengthening humanitarian operations in Haiti, particularly in a context where access to vulnerable populations remains a critical issue. The temporary suspension of flights had worsened the situation for many Haitian families dependent on international aid.
Food shortages, exacerbated by recurrent natural disasters and galloping inflation, have pushed millions of people to the brink of starvation.