Since March 2015, when commercial air carriers suspended their regular air operations to Yemen, drastically limiting the prospects for humanitarian organisations to airlift cargo in the country, the Logistics Cluster has facilitated access to the regular WFP airlift service, which provides fast and reliable delivery of emergency relief cargo.
The first combined chartered airlift facilitated by the Logistics Cluster in 2017 took off from Djibouti on 2 March 2017, and landed in Sana’a a couple of hours later. The aircraft carried almost ten mt of much needed emergency relief items (roughly 40 m3), on behalf of seven organisations: ACF, Save the Children, UNFPA, UNHCR, IOM, UNICEF, and WHO.
The operation was a success thanks to the concerted efforts of the UNHAS team in Djibouti and Sana’a, the WFP Aviation Unit colleagues in Rome, as well as all the organisations transporting the cargo. Photo credits: Clarissa Crippa, Logistics Cluster Yemen
Recent developments in the western coastal region of Yemen may result in the closure of the Port of Hodeidah, which would further limit delivery options inside Yemen. Humanitarian organisations would have to address additional challenges in responding to ever increasing needs. Additional logistics support is essential to ensure efficient and effective assistance is delivered to the affected population.
Part of the airlift included cholera laboratory equipment and cholera rapid diagnostics tests, as well as drugs for tuberculosis treatment and operational support items. Photo credits: Clarissa Crippa, Logistics Cluster Yemen
In 2016, the Logistics Cluster facilitated air transport of more than 800 m3 (approximately 25 20’ containers) of relief items from Djibouti to Sana’a. The Logistics Cluster stands ready to support actors involved in the response to the crisis to ensure a timely and uninterrupted supply of life-saving relief items to the affected populations.
More information on the airlifts facilitated by the Logistics Cluster (SOPs, schedule etc.) are available on the Logistics Cluster website: http://www.logcluster.org/ops/yem10a.